Akwa United’s technical adviser, Kennedy Boboye, has expressed strong optimism that his team will retain their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) status next season, despite their current position in the relegation zone.

The Promise Keepers secured a much-needed 1-0 victory over Katsina United in Uyo on Monday, marking their seventh win of the season. However, they remain 19th on the league table with 27 points, making every remaining fixture a must-win battle.

Boboye, while celebrating the hard-fought victory, admitted that Akwa United’s biggest challenge remains their inability to convert chances into goals.

“I’m grateful that we were able to secure all three points in the game. Our major target in all the remaining games is to ensure we win both home and away. The match was a tactical one, and we needed to be at our best to ensure we got the maximum points,” Boboye told Akwa United’s media.

“While I’m happy that we won this match, I’m terribly disappointed that we didn’t score more goals despite the fact that we were in total control of the game. The issue of finishing has been a key challenge for us. The boys played well, they created wonderful scoring chances, but making good use of those opportunities was the problem.”

Can Akwa United Escape the Drop?

Boboye’s words highlight a critical problem for the team—poor finishing. Dominating games and creating chances mean little if those opportunities don’t translate into goals. At this stage of the season, efficiency in front of goal is the difference between survival and relegation.

Akwa United’s struggles are a reminder that football is not just about playing well but also about being ruthless when it matters most. If they are to escape relegation, they must develop a winning mentality, especially in away fixtures where they have struggled this season.

However, one positive takeaway is their fanbase. Boboye acknowledged the unwavering support of Akwa United’s supporters and stressed the need to reward them with results.

“Despite the difficulties we are facing, our fans are always there to cheer and support us. We cannot afford to disappoint them; we have to reciprocate.”

With only a few games left, Akwa United’s fate is in their hands. They must fight for every available point, correct their attacking deficiencies, and approach every match with the hunger of a team that refuses to go down.

Will they rise to the occasion, or will their struggles in front of goal cost them their NPFL status? The battle for survival continues.

Over to you, Akwa United—your destiny is yours to shape! ⚽🔥