By Ime Bassey
Excited by his team’s first away point in the new season, Akwa United head coach, Solomon Ogbeide has expressed satisfaction over his lads performance against fellow promoted side, Rising Stars of Akure.

Speaking to Inside Out Premier League after his team’s goalless draw at the Dipo Dina International Stadium in Ijebu-Ode, the former Sunshine Stars coach stated that the Oil reach side will improve as the league progresses.

Also, the former Warri Wolves Chief Coach sounded a note of warning to other teams in the league that he and his wards are back in the Premier League to stay.

“It is a good game for us as we were trying to re-stamp our presence in the elite league. I am comfortable with the score line bearing in mind that this is an away game and also we lost to the same side which defeated us here last season in the Pro League 1.

“There is a lot work to be done in the team no doubt about it but we have started somewhere, which is a draw. The boys will improve as the games go by because they must first learn to crawl before getting to the last stage, which is running,” Coach Ogbeide said.

Rising Stars coach rues poor attack line

Coach of Nigerian Premier League debutant, Rising Stars, Sunday Erelesusi has confessed that his attack is his major headache.

He told Inside Out Premier League that all effort will be geared towards making his attack line deadly before their game today.

“I don’t have a good attack yet. It is my major concern which I know I must attend to before our next game against Kano Pillars. The performances of the boys have opened my eyes on it very well and I believe that we will improve on it,” he assured.

On why the team suffers in the attack, the former Golden Eaglets coach said, “I lost four of my players at the commencement of the season, so it is very difficult to file out a team without deficiencies. Two of these players are midfielders and we all know the role midfielders play in football. It will take some time for them to blend together,”

Akwa captain sure of Lobi victory

Akwa United captain, Otobong Effiong has expressed confidence that his team will come out victorious in tomorrow’s week two tie against Lobi Stars of Makurdi at the Kastina-Ala Township Stadium in Benue state.

He informed Inside Out Premier League at the Dipo Dina International Stadium Ijebu-Ode where he and colleagues played a goalless draw against Rising Stars that their aim is to pick maximum points against Lobi.

He said: “We are bent on winning our next game against Lobi Stars in Kastina-Ala. That is our aim since the draw was made last year. I am confident because of the caliber of players in the team. We have players who are ready to give more than their all for the club.”

Commenting on the Rising Stars encounter, he expressed delight stating that their plan worked out and they would have won the game if not for anxiety in front of goal.

“I feel very contented leading the team to its first point in the league this season despite us knowing that we were supposed to win the game having lost some scoring chances. Our strategy actually worked for us in the game.

We came with the intention to close every little space in the midfield so they will be frustrated in order for us to capitalise on it with counter-attacker,” Effiong added.