Akwa United head coach, Mohammed Baba Ganaru, is hopeful that his side are “capable of picking points on the road” starting with the trip to Minna where they will face Niger Tornadoes in Sunday’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture at the Bako Kontagora Stadium.
Baba Ganaru’s confidence stems from the fact that clubs in the NPFL have been taking full points on the road and he now believes that victory in Minna is achievable.
He stated that his team are mentally and physically ready to fight for the maximum points.
“The home win on Sunday against Kwara United has been a big motivation for us and we want to maintain that tempo going into this weekend’s game against Niger Tornadoes.
“We have only two wins since the start of the season and at this point, we need to focus on winning matches and to be more consistent with the way we play whether home or away.
“The reality on ground is that many teams have picked points away from home and we are equally capable of picking points on the road also. Coming to Minna, we have had robust preparations throughout this week and my players showed lots of commitment and determination. I’m hoping to see them replicate that type of energy on Sunday because I strongly believe that victory on the road will certainly turn things around for us,” Baba Ganaru said.
Baba Ganaru has named CHAN Eagles centre-back Wisdom Ndon, Friday Apollos, Chijioke Alaekwe, former Tornadoes winger Mubarak Said, Jean Efala, Darlingtin Ovunda, Emmanuel James, Ubong Williams, Endurance Ebedebiri, Ubong Essien, Samuel Matthew and Edidiong Ezekiel among others in his matchday squad for the tie.
Niger Tornadoes have managed just one win in their five home games, with three draws and one defeat. They have scored 10 and conceded nine goals and are eighth on the log with 14 points.
Akwa United have managed just one point from their five away matches so far this season scoring eight and conceding 10 goals. They will be aiming to maintain their dominance over Tornadoes, a team they have beaten eight times in their 12 previous meetings, losing only on four occasions.
© Akwa United Media