Coach Mohammed Babaganaru has identified an inability to convert chances as one of the major problems Akwa United are grappling with so far in the 2024/2025 NPFL season, Completesports.com reports.
Babaganaru spoke in Uyo after his team managed a 1-0 triumph over Nasarawa United in a Match Day 12 fixture at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
“That has been my major problem. Week in, week out, we keep working on that goal-scoring area, but so far, we haven’t got it right, and I’m not satisfied because we haven’t been scoring enough goals,” Babaganaru lamented.
He also expressed concern about the high rate of injuries affecting his squad, which has limited his selection options.
Babaganaru continued: “And another thing is that we have a lot of injuries in the team. So many of our players are injured. Most of our strikers are sidelined, and that’s why we’re still struggling with that problem.
“But I think with time, and with this victory over Nasarawa United, everything will be okay.
“We’re still on course despite the fact that we’re struggling. This is not what we expected at the beginning of the season.
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“A lot of people believed we were going to do very well and contend for the league title. But look at our situation now – since Week 2, the team has been at the bottom of the table, struggling. However, now that we’ve started beating our opponents at home, I think we’ll get it right. We’re still on course.
“After this win, we’ve identified some lapses in the team. In the next two days, we’ll make some adjustments and try to see where we can improve.”
Still stuck in the drop zone of the NPFL standings, Akwa United will visit El-Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri for a Match Day 13 fixture this weekend.
Babaganaru is already anticipating a tough encounter in Maiduguri on Saturday.
“Every match has its own approach. You don’t have to be rigid; you have to be flexible. The Maiduguri match will be different from the match against Nasarawa United. If we need to make changes, we will,” he said.
“We’ll go out there and do what we’re supposed to do. I know El-Kanemi Warriors have a very good team – they’re in good shape and getting good results both home and away.
“Most of their players from the NNL are still with them, along with the coaches. Everything is still intact. In this league now, anything is possible. We can go out there, face them head-on, and get the desired result, but it will be a difficult game,” Babaganaru concluded.
By Sab Osuji
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