Maikaba predicts tough opening fixtures

 Akwa United coach, Abdu Maikaba believes opening fixtures of the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League will be difficult, but key to his side's title ambition. The Promise Keepers resumed preparations for the new season on Thursday after a week long break, but Maikaba believes the club's decision to recall the players to camp before the New Year is geared towards efficient completion of his pre-season programme.

 "If we allow the players to resume after the New Year, we will have very few days to prepare for our first game away to ABS of Ilorin. The plan is to ensure the players regain the fitness level they attained before the break. We will have at least ten days or more to prepare for the opening fixture and this is very important and key to our pre-season programme," Maikaba told npfl.ng.

Maikaba, who ditched Wikki Tourists for the Uyo side, despite securing a continental ticket, said he is confident his side can take advantage of their engagement with three of the four continental teams within the first four matchdays, to showcase their title credentials. He dismissed claims by some quarters that his team will struggle in the early weeks of the season.

Akwa United face three of last season's top-four sides in champions Rangers, Rivers United and Wikki Tourists in their opening four games before a tricky trip to newcomers Katsina United in late January but Maikaba believes getting drawn so early to face the big hitters is good for his team.

"It is even better we have it at the beginning of the league. We have 35 players and they may need to rotate at some point. If the fixtures come deep into the season, it may be difficult to cope as injuries and cautions may come in. It is better that we get the fixtures early, but no matter how we look at it, it is going to be difficult, but we have a genuine plan to take care of the situation," he explained.

Akwa United will begin their campaign away to ABS of Ilorin on January 15, before hosting Rivers United in Uyo three days later. The team will square up against Rangers at home before trips to Bauchi, Katsina and Gombe within the opening 10 matchdays of the new campaign.

Akwa United's First 5 Games

January 15: v ABS FC (A)

January 18: v Rivers United (H)

January 22: v Wikki Tourists (A)

January 25: v Rangers (H)

January 29: v Katsina United (A)