Following a string of losses with apparently no magic wand to steer the club out of relegation, the head coach of Akwa United Football Club of Uyo, Muhammed Babaganaru, has resigned.
Babaganaru, LEADERSHIP Sports learnt, decided to step down after the team’s disappointing performance in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), with the team only recorded four wins in 16 matches this season.
“Our darling team, Akwa Utd has won just four, lost eight, and drawn four matches, leaving them in irredeemable position on the log this term,” Ekong Paul, an ardent fan noted.
His resignation came after a 1-1 draw in a week 16 home clash against another struggling team at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
After the match, the frustrated and infuriated supporters of the 2021 NPFL champions expressed dissatisfaction with the club’s poor form, and hauled invectives at Babaganaru, describing him as incompetent.
The team currently stands 19th on the NPFL log, in the drop zone, forcing the fans’ outrage.
The eruption of the anti- Babaganaru chants, according to Effiong Ita, a sport enthusiast, put pressure on a highly upsetted Babaganaru, to quit his position as the head coach of the club.
However, Paul Bassey, who confirmed Babaganaru’s resignation to our Correspondent, “we will soon issue an official statement on the matter.”
Babaganaru, the then head coach of the struggling Gombe United, was hired in March 2023, following the departure of Coach Fatai Osho.
However, the impatient fans, have also called on Governor Umo Eno, to relieve Elder Paul Bassey, of his position as club the Chairman, and the Sports Commissioner, Sir Monday Uko, of their appointments.”for lack of commitment and hurting the fans week in week out, by not giving them something to cheer.
“The Governor has committed a lot of resources into the team. Players in Akwa United earn are one of the best in terms of salary, but it doesn’t reflect in the club’s performance,” Idiongo Umoh, a fan from Etinan LGA, noted, even as he expressed concern about the club’s future in both domestic and continental competitions over imminent relegation.
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