By Bassey Ibiatisuho

The Coach of the newly crowned NPFL Champions, Akwa United, Kennedy Boboye has expressed optimism that the team are still working to sign more players ahead of the CAF Champions League and new 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL season.

Coach Boboye was speaking to Journalists shortly after the first training session of the team on Monday after the one week break following the conclusion of the 2020/2021 NPFL season.

Nineteen players participated in the session which took place at the West Itam Sports Centre with the usual suspects like Captain Otobong Effiong, assistant captain Ubong Friday, Mfon Udoh, Akarandut Orok, Wisdom Fernando, Sampson Gbadebo, Etiboy Akpan, Wilson Elu, David Philip among others.

Meanwhile, new faces like Midfielder Etop Udoh from Saudi side Arar FC, James Ajako left full back from Jigawa Golden stars and Evans Ogbonda from FC Ifeanyi Ubah as well as Dennis Nya who was on a loan deal to Plateau United, Aniefiok God’spower from Rangers International and Ezekiel Bassey from PetroJet SC of Egypt all joined the training session.

Coach Kennedy said the plan was to reinforce the team ahead of the CAF Champions League preliminary round clash next month which Akwa United was drawn against Algerian side, CR Belouizdad. According to him, the team is still negotiating with other players to join in time for proper preparation and training for the continental assignment.

Players like Ikechukwu Nwani, Etim Matthew, goalkeeper Bassey Akpan, David Essien, Inemesit Sunday Sadiq Abass, Kojo Dadzie, Eko Barine, Ekemini Ukoebe Hamisu Saleh and Aliyu Abubakar were all missing in training with report suggesting that their contracts were not renewed by the club.

Akwa United won their maiden NPFL title last season following a 5-2 home win against MFM and eventually finished the season with 71 points.