Akwa United’s Michael Ibeh: “Ifeanyi’s return from CHAN won’t affect my first team chances”
by Udeme Inyang
Akwa United’s in-form midfielder, Michael Ibeh says he’s determined to hold onto his first team shirt even with the impending return of Ifeanyi Ifeanyi from the just concluded CHAN Tournament in Morocco.
The 2016/2017 season was a period to forget for the prodigiously talented Ibeh. Pushed out of the team by Ifeanyi Ifeanyi and Aremu Afeez, the ex- Abia Warriors man had to be content with a place on the bench. However, the departure of Aremu to Europe and Ifeanyi’s involvement with the Super Eagles in Morocco has opened the door for Ibeh to prove his class. He has paid back Coach Abdul Maikaba’s faith in him with scintillating performances in the seven week old new npfl season.
Against Wikki Tourists on Sunday, Ibeh was again at his very best spraying passes from midfield, scoring a late goal and emerging as the man of the match. The goal was his third of the season.
Speaking at the post match conference, Ibeh said he felt good returning to Maikaba’s first team and said even Ifeanyi’s return will not disrupt his flow.
“I really wanted to play regularly last season to get noticed by national selectors for the CHAN Super Eagles team, but I never got enough playing time to do that.
“However, I have put that beyond me and am really enjoying myself this season. I thank the coach for the faith in me and I promise I won’t let him down”, Ibeh said.
When quizzed on what he thinks his fate will be when Ifeanyi returns, Ibeh said: “I am more of an offensive midfielder while he plays more defensively so that won’t be a problem for us. The rivalry can be a healthy one. The important thing is to push Akwa United to greater things this season”.
