The assistant coach feels the Promise Keepers need help to build confidence despite securing their first win in four games against the Owena Whales
Assistant coach Aliyu Zubairu has disclosed that his Akwa United side is low on confidence despite their 2-1 win over Sunshine Stars at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
Before Sunday’s encounter, the Promise Keepers went three successive league games without a win, including 2-0 back-to-back away defeat against Rivers United and Katsina United.
However, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi and Victor Mbaoma’s strikes ensured the Uyo-based side overpower the hard-fighting Owena Whales and guaranteed their return to winning ways.
And the gaffer further blamed their weak bench plus pressure from fans on their poor run of form, but he assures they will work hard to ground out wins in the face of their challenges.
“The backup of the team [Akwa United] are not yet living up to expectation,” Zubairu told Goal.
“We had to field almost the same players that played against Al-Hilal last Wednesday against Sunshine Stars and we couldn’t match their strength because they have rested for a week and our players only had three days.
“It is not pressure per say but the earlier we understand the fact that someday we may not play well but we could go away with the three points. Like against Sunshine, we know we played badly because we know something is wrong with our play. The confidence level is very low.
“No player wants to receive the ball now because he’s afraid of what will be the reaction of the fans and before the ball gets to him, the fans are already saying do this or do that. What is important is the three points but certainly, we are working on raising the confidence level of the players.”
