Ayeni calls defending Akwa United's forte, says team will attack Gombe United
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Akwa United boss Deji Ayeni

NPFL Ayeni calls defending Akwa United's forte, says team will attack Gombe United

Jidechi Chidiezie 15:09 - 16.02.2023

The Uyo club can go into third position in Group A on Thursday, should they have a favourable goal difference.

Akwa United coach Deji Ayeni has said ahead of his side's Week 8 2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clash with Gombe United, that his team is not built around a single player, adding that winning is a combination of efforts.

The Uyo club will on Thursday, round off week 8 of the NPFL season when they welcome Gombe United to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

Since suffering a defeat at home to Bendel Insurance on the opening day of the season, Akwa United have failed to drop any more points at home and will hope to continue that when they welcome the Gombe club.

Deyi says Akwa United will attack Gombe

Speaking ahead of his side's midweek game, Ayeni revealed that the Promise Keepers have no intentions of sitting back against the Desert Scorpions since defending was already their forte.

"My game plan is attacking oriented, for us to get the goals and win the match convincingly. That is our target. It is non-negotiable," Ayeni said in his pre-match interview on Wednesday.

"Psychologically, and mentally, we've already finetuned the boys and made them understand the importance of the game (against Gombe United). The boys are ready mentally.

"One of our key strengths in this team is our defence. Our defence have been very fantastic in the last five matches. We planned to get the three points in Maiduguri but lost because we conceded a very cheeky goal, but we would address that before we go to the next game, and why we should keep a clean sheet.

"The team is not built on any single player, we have a flexible team. Winning is a combination of efforts," the Akwa United boss added.

Akwa United win to put them par with Plateau, Remo

Bendel Insurance and Enyimba's victories in Group A on Wednesday helped widen the distance between the top-ranked teams and the teams below.

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Remo Stars were forced to drop to fourth in Group A following a goalless draw in Ibadan with Kwara United, and Plateau United's convincing 5-0 victory over El Kanemi Warriors.

Should Akwa United, who are currently 5th in Group A win their game against Gombe United, they would go level on points (14), with both third-placed Plateau United and fourth-placed Remo Stars.

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