Ayeni laments Akwa United home draw against strugglers Nasarawa United

Coach Ayodeji Ayeni admitted that his team dropped two valuable points against Nasarawa United due to loss of concentration.

Ayeni’s side needed a win against the Solid Miners to leapfrog Bendel Insurance on the NPFL Group A table.

However It was the visitors who took the lead through defender Victor Collins in the 20th minute, after his powerful free kick beat Jean Efala in Akwa United’s goal.

Akwa United responded a minute later through Cyril Olisema who sent a left-footed volley beyond Mohammed Galadima in Nasarawa United’s goal.

Few minutes after the restart, the Promise Keepers took the lead when Victor Collins in an attempt to clear out Ubong Friday’s low drive accidentally turned the ball into his own net.

With time running out, Akwa United thought they had all the points in the bag, but Nasarawa snatched an equalizer with substitute Anas Yusuf’s header three minutes from time.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game against Nasarawa United considering their position on the log. We prepared well for this game, we had our game plan and we even came back from a goal down to lead 2-1, but I think at a very critical moment, that concentration was not there and the opponents capitalized on that to deny us all three points.

“It’s not the result we wanted but it’s one of those things in football. It’s a game we should have won comfortably but we missed some very good chances.

“At some point in the match I noticed that some of my players had injuries and I decided to replace them, and I think it was the right thing to do. So, I take full responsibility for the outcome of this game. Now we have to go back and plan for the next game.”

With the result, Akwa United stay 2nd in Group A on 23 points from 13 games, four points behind leaders Bendel Insurance.

The Uyo based club will next travel to Jos to engage Plateau United this weekend.