Akwa United head coach, Mohammed Baba Ganaru, has described his team’s 1-2 defeat to Sunshine Stars as disappointing and unbelievable, but added that his team will have to put up improved performances in subsequent games to ensure the team’s target is met at the end of the season.
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 4 result at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium was the Promise Keepers’ first defeat this season and also their first defeat to Sunshine Stars in Uyo.
A goal in each half for the visitors from Chinedu Nwosu and Seth Mayi rendered Wisdom Ndon’s 83rd minute effort as mere consolation as Akwa United’s wait for their first win of the campaign continued.
“I can’t believe that we lost at home to Sunshine Stars after all the effort we made. I totally understand that in the game of football there are three results but we didn’t deserve the result we got because it was not the true reflection of what transpired. We created many goalscoring opportunities but how we didn’t bury those chances is what I don’t understand.
“It’s unbelievable that we have already dropped five points at home and having just two from a possible nine points is not a good way to kick off our campaign and we need to do something urgently to redeem ourselves and get back on track for the task ahead. I know that the league is a marathon race and we still have 35 more games to play but we have to be more committed and dedicated by stepping up our game to ensure we get back in the mix.
“Our next two games are against Enyimba and Rivers United away from home. We have to make the most of our chances because we believe that we can get results irrespective of where we are playing.
“Teams are winning away from home so we have to approach our games with that mentality that we can win anywhere. All that we need is to ensure we maintain our composure and not be unnecessarily anxious at crucial moments,” Baba Ganaru told Akwa United Media.
The 2021 champions have managed two draws while suffering one defeat in their opening three matches of this campaign and will be travelling to Aba on Wednesday expecting to record their first win of the season.