Ayodeji Ayeni is the new head coach of reigning Nigerian champions
MFON PATRICK -UYO
Reigning Nigeria Professional Football League Champions Akwa United have signed and unveiled their new head Coach Ayodeji Ayeni.
At a brief ceremony at the conference room of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Coach Ayeni was officially presented to some fans, football stakeholders and the media community by the chairman of the club Elder Paul Bassey. The coach has been offered a one season contract subject to renewal.
Presenting the new coach to the media community, Elder Paul Bassey said, “we are glad that we have been able to secure the services of coach Ayodeji Ayeni. He is very intelligent and carries lots of positive credentials.
“Out of more than forty applications we received, we decided to go with Coach Ayodeji Ayeni because of his achievements so far. He may not be the best coach but he is a very good coach who shares our dreams and aspirations. We are confident that he will bring his wealth of experience to bear in Akwa United because we believe that we have got the right man for the job”.
In his response, coach Ayodeji Ayeni expressed appreciation to the management of Akwa United for giving him the opportunity to contribute to the success story of the club and promised to build a formidable team that everyone will be proud of.
“I’m coming to Akwa United with a positive mindset and I believe that in the game of football, anything is possible. I want to assure everyone associated with this great club that this is a new dawn and we need the contribution of all stakeholders to ensure we take Akwa United to where she truly belongs.
“I’m here to contribute my quota to ensure I add to the rich history of Akwa United which we all know is one of the top clubs in Nigeria.
“Looking at where Akwa United is at the table, I want to assure everyone that I will do my best to work with the players we have and I hope to introduce my style of play as quickly as possible because my target is to help this club to retain the NPFL title or at least to secure one of the continental tickets”.
Coach Ayodeji Ayeni joined Akwa United from Sunshine Stars of Akure, a team he helped to escape relegation last season and took them to 8th position after the first stanza of the current season.
Coach Ayeni’s first game in-charge of Akwa United will be NPFL Match-day 20 game against Rivers United billed for next weekend at the Nest of Champions.
