Veteran Nigerian football coach Kennedy Boboye has made a return to Akwa United, signing a mid-season contract to manage the team for the remainder of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
The Uyo-based club confirmed the appointment in a statement posted on social media on Monday, January 8.
“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.”
Boboye, who guided Akwa United to their historic NPFL title in 2021, faces a daunting challenge as the club struggles near the bottom of the league. Currently sitting 19th in the 20-team standings after 19 games, Akwa United must improve dramatically to avoid relegation from the top flight.
Boboye’s appointment marks the second mid-season coaching change in the NPFL this season. In December, Enyimba International FC appointed Stanley Eguma as their new head coach following the departure of Yemi Daniel Olanrewaju.
Eguma, a seasoned tactician with a wealth of experience, had previously contributed to Enyimba’s CAF Champions League successes in the early 2000s. His return to the team signals a broader trend of NPFL clubs seeking proven managers to navigate the challenges of a competitive season.
For Boboye, the task at Akwa United will require a swift turnaround to restore confidence and secure the club’s place in the NPFL.
