Akwa United full-back James Ajako: Insurance fight-back down to team spirit

Akwa United full-back James Ajako was delighted with their fight-back against Bendel Insurance on Wednesday.

The Promise Keepers were 1-0 down early into the game, but earned a point by drawing 1-1 at full-time.

Ajako was a big reason Akwa United were able to secure their point in Benin, with two crucial goal-saving interventions: one to block Imade Osarenkhoe when he appeared to have only the goalkeeper to beat, and another desperate sliding tackle to deny Ismael Seriki.

Reacting to the stalemate after the game, Ajako told Lodgexpress official website: “We didn’t play badly and for periods we controlled the game. In the first opening minutes they showed they have quality up front and scored a quick goal too, but the team never stopped playing and every time we tried to push forward to score a goal and in the end I think we deserved the one point.

“We work together every day and we know each other and try to put that in during the game and especially in this game because we knew we were playing against a good team and away from home, so I think the way we are working and the way we are playing we know we are in the correct way.

“We just have to keep going and keep working as we are doing.”

Imade Osarenkhoe opened the scoring for the hosts after 6 minutes before Cyril Olisema levelled the scoring in the 34th minute.