Why AKWA United FC Is In Trouble

• Over Poor Start AT NPFL

Akwa United’s poor start to the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL season has raised concerns among fans. The club, currently sitting 19th, the same point as Lobi Stars, who occupies the 20th position after 16 matches, has managed just 4 wins. Their latest result, a 1;1 draw against fellow strugglers Bendel Insurance at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium has further heightened frustrations.

On December 10, coach, Mohammed Babaganaru left his post as technical adviser. The experienced gaffer took over the reign at the club last season following the resignation of Fatai Osho. The former Wikki Tourists handler helped steer the club out of relegation.

The Uyo-based club has since appointed team psychologist Ime Uko as the club head coach until a substantive one is named later to replace departing Babaganaru.

In his reaction after accepting the coach’s resignation chairman of the club Elder Paul Bassey said: “In football tradition around the world, when results are not forthcoming it’s the coaches that pay for the poor run of form irrespective of their output, past antecedents. Babaganaru is a good coach who has worked with many clubs in this country and won trophies but it didn’t just work out for him as planned this season.

“He joined us last season and contributed immensely helping us to beat the drop, we can’t forget that and we commend him. I can say that our results and position on the log this season are not a true reflection of the work he has done with the team.

“Akwa United is a team with a rich history and pedigree, so struggling in the relegation zone is unacceptable and we cannot continue in that direction.

“Coach Muhammed Babaganaru is a core professional, we will miss him. His resignation may not be the only solution to our problem, we are not happy with the performance of our players and we have started planning to strengthen the team when the mid-season transfer window opens in January,” the chairman said.

In an interview on Lagos Talks 91.5FM with a renowned sports reporter, Nsikakabasi Akpan, who follows Akwa United all the time, he said that the problem ranges from recruitment, and salaries paid to the players and management in general. “Yeah, of course, it’s like that. Everyone can see. And the facts are not something that we should be struggling with. You just need to look at the league table and the performances of the club. Then you have all the facts you are looking for.

“It’s been like this in the last three to four seasons. Four seasons ago, they won the title. But in the last three years, it’s been like this. And those very close to the club, like myself, who have been around within and around the club, have seen what has been going on. We’ve been not good enough. And it’s time that we speak up and try to hold the club accountable and demand management to do what they’re supposed to do and to keep the club going,” he said.

According to him, the people who follow the clubs need to start saying things happening at the club the way it is rather than being silent. “We have to start telling ourselves the truth. I think as journalists, as people who follow Akwa United, we have to start telling ourselves the truth.

“We have to point out the issues that we are currently facing. Now, I have to be very blunt. It starts with recruitment. From the coaches to the players, the salaries paid to players, the depth of the squad, and the quality of the players that Akwa United currently have, they are not good enough. We have to tell ourselves the truth. And that’s the fact that Akwa United must accept, they have to agree that what they’ve been doing in the last three to four years is not good enough.

“I’m reliably informed that the chief scout of the club, weeks ago, was dismissed. Why did they let him go? It’s because they sat back looked at the recruitment, looked at the kind of players that they have, and they are not good enough. And they keep bringing in subpar players to struggle in the league.

“Last season, they were heading to the NNL. I was convinced that they were heading to the NNL. But thanks to the business they did midway through, they brought back Ubon Friday. They brought this young man, Stanley Suleman, who is no longer with the team. And they gave the club the spark. I think both of them combined, I think they scored about 20 goals in just half a season to salvage Akwa United. And they were very lucky that Sporting Lagos FC went on that bad run, which sent them back to the NNL.

“So recruitment has been very bad. It’s not up to standard. You look at the players that they currently have, there’s no leadership in the team. There’s no depth in the squad. And I have to shock you. Some players are currently playing in the Akwa United setup that are being rejected. Some of these players, I know for a fact because I’ve been around some local clubs in Akwa Ibom, these players are being rejected by clubs that are not playing in the league. That’s not good enough.

“Understand that maybe a particular manager can see a player and he doesn’t like the way he’s playing, doesn’t like his qualities, but another person sees this player and he likes this player and he likes him differently and it brings results,” Akpan said.

Akpan also asked fans on social media what is the problem with Akwa United. The responses reflect a wide range of opinions from recruitment issues to mismanagement.

Some fans believe that the recruitment strategy has backfired, citing the signing of 16 new players as disruptive to the team’s chemistry. “Na their recruitment is the problem; the quality is too low, especially in the attacking and midfield areas,” said Ubon Archibong.

Another fan, Idy Asuquo suggested that players are feeling the pressure to perform, saying: “They need to calm their nerves and play as a unit; the results will come.”

Ndifreke Effiong Bassey noted that the lack of leadership on the field and the absence of key players like Ubong Friday have impacted the team’s performance.

Samuel Ime Harry pointed to the Stadium as a factor behind the team’s struggles. Others noted that Akwa United’s inability to win home games is a major concern.

Essienie Jnr criticised the team’s lack of tactical play, saying: “The players are disorganised, no team spirit.” Similarly, Global Sport News urged the management to “sort things out and start giving us good results.”

The message from the fans is loud and clear: Akwa United needs to refocus, address internal challenges, and rebuild team morale if they are to turn their season around.

–Benprince Ezeh

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