The last time Kennedy Boboye was at Akwa United, he walked away with something more precious than just a league title. He left with a legacy—a moment in Nigerian football history that would be remembered as the club’s finest achievement: their first-ever Nigeria Premier Football League title. For Akwa United fans, Boboye was a hero—a manager who built a resilient, disciplined, and efficient team that defied the odds and finished at the top of the league in the 2020/21 season.
But now, as Boboye returns to the helm with 19 games left in the 2024/25 season, things have dramatically changed. Akwa United, champions just three years ago, are in the fight of their lives. A far cry from the free-scoring, title-winning side he once led, the Promise Keepers are now trapped in the relegation zone, struggling to find their footing, and the next 19 games of the second round of the league will be very crucial.
This return is not the story of a triumphant manager coming back to bask in glory. It is the story of a desperate mission: Boboye has come back to save a sinking ship, to steer Akwa United away from the brink of disaster and ensure the club’s place in the top flight of Nigerian football.
In this article Timothy Dehinbo explores what Boboye’s return means for Akwa United, the challenges he faces, and why it’s more important than ever for the club to get it right from here. The article reflects on his past successes and explores how they can be leveraged to help Akwa United avoid relegation. Most importantly, examining what the team must do to prevent a fate that could have long-lasting effects on the club’s future.
The Glory Days: When Boboye’s Akwa United Shone
The 2020/21 season was one to remember for Akwa United fans. Under Boboye, the club won their first and only NPFL title with a staggering 71 points(19 wins, 14 draws and 5 losses), winning the title with a remarkable balance between defence and attack. It was a team that embodied discipline, hard work, and collective spirit—traits that Boboye instilled in every player.
Boboye took over as Akwa United head coach in December 2019, replacing John Obuh. His tenure began with a 2-1 victory against Rivers United on Matchday 9 of the 2019/20 season, played on December 18, 2019. It was the start of a remarkable run, as Akwa United won their next four matches under his guidance: 1-0 against Lobi Stars, 1-0 against Wikki Tourists, and 1-0 victories on the road against both Dakkada FC and Jigawa Golden Stars.
The season, however, was abruptly cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the league canceled after Matchday 25. Despite the disruption, Boboye’s influence was evident. In the 17 matches he oversaw, Akwa United recorded seven wins, seven draws, and just three defeats, laying a solid foundation for the success that followed in subsequent campaigns.
Having set the foundation in the 2019/20 season, he guided Akwa United to the league title the following year.
The title win wasn’t just about tactical brilliance; it was about resilience. Akwa United conceded only 24 goals all season, the fewest in the league, with a defense that was nearly impenetrable. They were also fierce in attack, scoring 53 goals—the second most that season. Boboye’s system was built on a solid defensive structure, quick transitions, and a deadly counter-attacking strategy, making them one of the hardest teams to break down in the league.
He left Akwa United after 12 games in the 2021/22 season with an overall impressive statistic of 44% win precentage from 70 games.
But the glory days now feel far off. Since that peak, the club has struggled to find the same consistency. For the second season in a row, they are fighting relegation, having narrowly avoided it last season on the final matchday, finishing 16th. This is the reality Boboye faces now, a stark contrast to the team he once built into champions.
The Return: A Manager’s Reputation on the Line
Boboye is no stranger to high-pressure situations. He has shown time and again that he can thrive in critical situations, leading Plateau United to their only league title in 2017 and stabilizing a team like Sunshine Stars when they were at risk of relegation.
Yet, despite his previous successes, this challenge feels different. When Boboye takes over a team mid-season, the stakes are always high. But with Akwa United, the situation is even more critical. The club has found itself at a crossroads—relegation looms, and the remaining 19 games will determine whether they sink or swim. There’s little margin for error.
What Boboye must do is not just tactically solve the team’s problems but also restore their belief, rebuild the unity, and reignite the passion that made Akwa United champions just a few seasons ago. The players need to be reminded of the pride and identity that comes with wearing the club’s colors. Boboye knows this better than anyone—his ability to manage players mentally and emotionally could be just as important as his tactical decisions.
The Tactical Blueprint for Survival
Kennedy Boboye’s return is about both structure and mentality. His first challenge is to rebuild Akwa United’s defensive foundations. The Promise Keepers have conceded a couple of late goals in matches where they could have earned points, highlighting defense as their biggest weakness. In games against Enyimba, Rivers United, Bayelsa United, and most recently Remo Stars, they allowed the winning goal in the final fifteen minutes. For a team struggling to score, they should be more solid defensively in those situations.
Boboye is a coach who values organization and discipline, and his immediate focus will be on solidifying the backline.
On the offensive side, Boboye will focus on rebuilding Akwa United’s counter-attacking game. During their title-winning season, the team was deadly on the break, with quick transitions and clinical finishing. This season, however, they’ve lacked real sharpness in attack.
A Familiar but Different Challenge
This is a familiar challenge for Boboye. He has led teams through relegation battles before, and his experience in these high-pressure situations will be vital. When he rejoined Sunshine Stars in the 2023/24 season, the team was struggling, but under his leadership, they stabilized and finished mid-table.
This time, the challenge is different. The pressure is higher, and there’s less room for error. With only 19 games left, Akwa United can’t afford any slip-ups. They must play with urgency, discipline, and purpose—qualities Boboye has always instilled in his teams.
The question isn’t whether Boboye has the tactical ability to save Akwa United—he undoubtedly does. The real challenge lies in whether he can motivate the team to overcome the self-doubt and mental fatigue that seems to have held them back all season. Football is as much about mentality as it is about tactics, and Boboye will need to reignite a sense of belief in his players if they are to achieve what would be a remarkable escape.
A Club at a Crossroads
Akwa United’s future is at a crossroads. Having experienced the heights of league glory and the depths of relegation struggles, this moment could define the club’s next decade. If Boboye succeeds, he will solidify his place in the hearts of the many Akwa United fans out there. But if he fails, it could signal the end of an era for Akwa United, leaving them facing relegation to the second division.
There’s little room for sentiment in this battle. This isn’t about a manager returning to relive past glories. It’s about survival—saving a club from the brink of disaster and guiding it back to safety. For Boboye, the next 19 games will decide whether he’s remembered as the manager who turned things around or the one who saw a promising club’s hopes for survival slip away.
For Boboye, handling a team with an average of 1 point per game in the season’s first round, the pressure is high of course, but if anyone can handle it, it’s the man who led Akwa United to glory just a few seasons ago. The next 19 games will decide whether Akwa United stays in the NPFL or slips into the abyss.
In football, as in life, sometimes it’s not about how you start—it’s about how you finish. For Akwa United, the final push has begun. It’s time to get it right.
