#NPFL21: Maikaba admits scoring woes after loss to Akwa

Plateau United head coach Abdu Maikaba has admitted that his side is confronted by a palpable problem of lack of goals after his side once again fired blanks in a 0-1 loss at Akwa United.

Striker Charles Atshimene scored the game’s only goal for Akwa in the 53rd minute when he controlled Ndifreke Effiong’s low cross and rifled it into the roof of Chinedu Anozie’s goal.

In fact, Akwa United were made to play the final thirty minutes of the game with a numerical disadvantage after right back Etboy Akpan was sent off for two bookable offences just before the hour mark.

Maikaba’s men were unable to capitalise though.

“We have a problem offensively, more importantly in front of goal,” Maikaba told www.aclsports.com after the game.

“We are working on it and I believe it will not take too long. Already we are in the eleventh week and we have to try as much as possible to rectify it before Week 15 and I believe that is what will give us the chance to do anything this season,” said Maikaba whose team have scored just eight goals in eleven ten matches this term.

Maikaba enjoyed considerable success at Akwa United while he was their manager, winning the Aiteo Cup with the team in 2017 and a second place finish in the league in 2018.

He believes that going one man down helped the Promise Keepers to see out the game on Saturday.

“We conceded a goal and that was when te opponents got a red card.

“I believe any team can hang on to that and the coach has made good tactical changes and I believe he put more defence minded players but I had expected more from my players at that point in time,” he concluded.

Plateau United have one game in hand (after their clash with Rivers United last weekend was postponed due to the latter’s continental engagement).

Up next for the Tin City side is a home tie against Jigawa Golden Stars next midweek while Akwa United will make a short trip to Aba to face Enyimba.