Veteran Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) coach Kennedy Boboye has made a sensational return to Akwa United, signing a mid-season deal with the club on Monday.
The Uyo-based team confirmed the development through a statement on its X (formerly Twitter) handle, expressing optimism about the experienced tactician’s return.
“We have agreed a mid-season managerial contract with coach Kennedy Boboye,” the statement read. “Boboye, who won the NPFL title with us in 2021, signed the deal today and is expected to begin work with the team later this week.”
The announcement marks a homecoming for Boboye, who guided Akwa United to their historic NPFL triumph in 2021.
However, the coach faces a daunting challenge as he takes over a side languishing in 19th place on the 20-team NPFL table, with just 19 games remaining in the 2024/2025 season.
Akwa United’s current predicament means Boboye’s immediate task will be steering the Akwa Ibom State-owned club away from the relegation zone.
With the season’s second stanza fast approaching, all eyes will be on the coach to deliver a turnaround.
Boboye’s return makes Akwa United the second NPFL club to make a managerial change ahead of the second half of the season.
In December, nine-time league champions Enyimba International FC appointed veteran coach Stanley Eguma following the exit of Yemi Daniel Olanrewaju.
Eguma, renowned for his success during Enyimba’s CAF Champions League victories in the early 2000s, brings a wealth of experience to the team.
As the season progresses, Akwa United fans will hope Boboye’s magic touch can work wonders once again, just as it did in 2021.