Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) record goalscorer in a single season and Akwa United new-signing Mfon Udoh, says he hopes to score at least 20 goals for the Uyo-based side in the 2018/19 season.
Udoh, who joined the club from seven-time champions, Enyimba during the transfer window, disclosed this to npfl.ng, shortly after his unveiling by the Promise Keepers at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Friday.
The forward wants to score in every game he features for the former AITEO Cup winners though he also has his sight set on helping Akwa United win a first league title.
“First, my target is help Akwa United win the league title, which they have not before. For goals, I believe I am going to score a goal in each game, or at least 20 for the season, because it is an abridged league, just like Oliver Twist, I would have loved to asked for more,” he told npfl.ng.
The striker also offered explanation on why he opted for Akwa United ahead of other suitors when it became apparent he would leave Enyimba.
“I have always wanted to come back to Akwa United, but due to some circumstances, that did not happen. I am so glad to be back to serve my hometown team once again. I feel so excited and happy.
“Where I was (Enyimba) I had little or no challenge again. I have all the time to play, but I thought I needed a new challenge. I needed to move to a club where I could face a new challenge, and Akwa United was one of those teams that provided that option for me.
“I was impressed by their performance last season. I liked the way they played and I thought it will be a great opportunity to be back home once again. The fans also wanted me back, I wanted to make a lot of them happy, so I decided to come back. Every team have their own unique style and philosophy. A lot has changed administratively and in terms of facilities, starting from the stadium, the fans, so much has changed,” Udoh said.
The forward left Akwa United (where he scored 15 goals) to join Enyimba in 2014, and same year he scored 23 goals to become the first player to cross the 20-goal mark as the People’s Elephants finished second and a year later won their seventh league title.
In 2016, Udoh scored nine times in the CAF Champions League for Enyimba, and emerged top goalscorer of the competition.
The former Calabar Rovers (now UNICEM Rovers) man is expected to form a fearsome partnership with Ndifreke Effiong who has joined the Uyo club from Abia Warriors.
