By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The Chairman of Abakaliki FC Supporters Club, Prince Morris Mbam, has expressed confidence that the Dr Rice Boys will secure promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), despite playing out a 1-1 draw against Akwa United.
Mbam gave the assurance after the keenly contested encounter, saying the team’s performance demonstrated its readiness for the challenges of the season.
He described the match as a tough encounter but maintained that the players had shown enough quality to convince supporters that promotion was achievable.
“My impression about this match is that it’s a wonderful match, a tough one, but at least they have seen that our boys are prepared for the season. I have no doubt that this season we are hitting the Premier League,” he said.
The supporters’ chairman attributed the team’s performance to the efforts of the technical crew, noting that the players had demonstrated their talents and level of preparation.
According to him, although supporters had expected victory in the club’s first home match of the season, they were not disappointed with the draw.
“Our boys are well trained. This is just one of the things about football, the mystery of football. You can never be sure until the match is over. That is what happened today. But as far as we are concerned, this match was our victory, and we accept it in good faith,” Mbam added.
Also speaking, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Chidi Onyia, expressed confidence in the team’s promotion ambition, although he admitted having mixed feelings about the result.
Onyia said he had expected Abakaliki FC to win by two or three goals but was satisfied that the team secured a point against an experienced Akwa United side.
He noted that the visitors’ struggle to earn a point against Abakaliki FC, a club barely three years old, demonstrated the determination of the Ebonyi team.
“I am impressed. On the other hand, not really impressed because I had projected 2-0 or 3-0 in favour of my team. It is what it is. I’m happy getting a point from Akwa United,” he said.
“It’s not an easy feat, considering that they’ve been in the game from year to year, from decade to decade. And Abakaliki FC is barely three years. For Akwa United to struggle to get a point from us shows we are really mean and determined to make the state proud.”
The commissioner reiterated that promotion remained the major target for the club, warning that the management would be held responsible if it failed to achieve the objective.
“My charge remains to get us promoted to the Premiership. And if that is not done, that means they would be expecting a sledgehammer,” he warned.
Despite the dropped points, Onyia maintained that he was convinced the management would deliver on its mandate.
Meanwhile, Akwa United captain, Charles Anefiok, expressed satisfaction with his teammates’ determination, particularly their refusal to give up until the final whistle.
“I’m so happy with my colleagues because all of us always give our best, and we can’t give up until the last minute. So I’m very happy,” Anefiok said.
He explained that the encounter had reinforced the importance of adapting to different formations and maintaining discipline throughout a match.
On his part, Abakaliki FC’s Man of the Match, Chinedu Nwakpa, admitted that his team’s second-half performance fell below expectations, attributing the dropped points to a loss of concentration and failure to maintain their usual style of play.
“Not the result we wanted, but what is ahead is onto the next one,” Nwakpa said.
He promised that the team would improve in its next home fixture, assuring supporters that the players were determined to secure maximum points.
The 1-1 draw saw both sides share the points, while Abakaliki FC will be hoping to turn its next outing into a victory as it pursues its ambition of reaching the Nigerian top flight.