Akwa United FC midfielder Paulinus Okon has promised to give even more as the Promise Keepers push for promotion back to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Okon made the pledge after a man-of-the-match winning performance, scoring twice in Akwa United’s 2-0 victory over First Bank in a Nigeria National League matchday 12 fixture at the Uyo Township Stadium on Sunday, March 1.
Speaking after the game, the University of Uyo First Class graduate of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering expressed his delight at seeing his hard work pay off.
“I feel grateful. The hard work, the mentality, the efforts, today you can see the result. It has paid off,” Paulinus Okon said.
The midfielder also praised head coach Paul Offor for helping him improve his game since joining the club.
“I want to thank Coach Paul Offor for continuously pushing me. I was not like this when I came to Akwa United, but he has been telling me to do more and today it’s showing.”
On the team’s ambition to return to the NPFL, Paulinus Okon made his target clear.
“I want to put in all the effort to ensure this team returns to the NPFL,” he stated.
Despite playing as a midfielder, Okon is now Akwa United’s leading scorer this season with four goals. He opened his account against First Bank in Lagos in December, added another goal against Stormers in January, and grabbed a brace again against First Bank on Sunday.
“I want to score as many goals as possible to ensure this team succeeds. I am ready to do whatever is legitimate. The effort in training and off it, I want to put in more to ensure Akwa United returns to the NPFL,” he added.
Paulinus Okon also spoke about how he combined football with his studies to graduate with a First Class degree.
“Nothing on earth is impossible as long as you put your mind to it. What you need to do is to tell the universe, this is what I want to achieve. Before gaining admission into the university, I was in an academy and I said I wanted to succeed in football and also in my education. Thanks be to God that I graduated with a First Class degree and today I am growing in my football career.”
It was also a special afternoon for Paulinus Okon off the pitch, as his mother and siblings watched him from the stands. After he was presented with the Ibom Air/Akwa United Man-of-the-Match award, his family joined him on the pitch to celebrate the memorable performance.
Akwa United’s win extended their lead at the top of the NNL Conference B standings to four points.
The Promise Keepers will next travel to face Osun United in a matchday 13 fixture this weekend as they continue their push for promotion back to the NPFL.
