Mfon Patrick
Head coach of Akwa United Football Club, Kennedy Boboye, has said that the essence of his team’s participation in the second edition of Gov. Wike Pre-season Football Tournament is to try out different formations and tactics that will be suitable for his team ahead of the new NPFL season.
Two-time federation cup champions have been drawn in Group A alongside host, Rivers United, Lobi Stars, Cynosure, and Ottasoro FC in the 2nd edition of Governor Nyesom Wike Pre-season Football Tournament scheduled for 6 -14 November 2020 in Port Harcourt.
Coach Boboye in an exclusive interview with the club’s official website www.akwaunitedfc.com expressed happiness with the calibre of participating teams and stressed that winning the tournament may not be his main target.
“The invitation to this tournament came to us at the right time and our participation will afford us the opportunity of playing against some of the top sides in the country. We have been preparing and playing some test games after the lifting of ban on contact sports but I’m sure that the level of competition in this tournament will be different.
“It’s our desire to be champions in any competition we play but since we are preparing for what will be a very long season, our main focus in this pre-season tournament is to experiment different match strategies and tactics to know the one that will be good enough for us in the coming season.
“I will do my best to ensure all my players have the opportunity to play in this pre-season tournament and that will give me an idea of their readiness for the new season” Coach Boboye explained.
The Promise Keepers on Thursday afternoon played out a goalless draw with neighbouring Abia Warriors in a pre-season friendly in Uyo. They will hit Port Harcourt Friday afternoon ahead of their first game against Cynosure FC.
A total of 35 players and key officials as well as backroom staff are making the short trip to the Garden City for the tournament.