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The left-back scored his first-ever NPFL and career goal on Sunday, January 22, 2023.
After opening his goal account for the 2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, Akwa United defender James Ajako has revealed he will never forget Sunday, January 22, 2023, for the rest of his life.
On Sunday, the left-back opened the scoring in Akwa United's 3-0 win away at Nasarawa United and helped his team to their first win of the season after having previously gotten only one point from their first two games.
The goal was Ajako's first-ever goal in the top-flight of Nigerian club football.
Ajako speaks glowingly of debut NPFL goal
Reacting to his performance in the victory, and his maiden goal, the defender called the moment 'special' adding that the memory will remain with him for the rest of his professional career.
“Scoring my first goal for Akwa United which is also my first goal in the Nigeria Premier Football League was really a special moment for me," the left-back said in an interview made public by his club.
“I don’t know how I did it. I think it was a free-kick on the right side. Anthony Anioke wanted to play the ball and I said to myself just be ready in case the ball comes to you. Anthony floated the ball into the box, Oghenetega flicked it over the head of a defender and the ball came to me, the first thing that came to my mind was, hit it hard and I did, and then the ball went in.
“I had a feeling at the beginning of the season that I will score a goal this campaign because I have really worked to improve my game and I believe I’m getting better every day.
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"On match-day 2 in Aba, I played a shot from outside the box and for a moment I thought it was a goal only for the ball to hit the crossbar and bounced off.
“So, I’m super excited that I have scored my first goal, not just for Akwa United but also my first goal as a professional footballer," Ajako added as he also dedicated the goal to his parents, his club, and the Akwa United management.
Akwa United to play Plateau United next
Ajako who is in his third season in the NPFL, having joined the Promise Keepers from Jigawa Golden Stars in the 2021/22 season, will look to make another impact for them as they welcome Plateau United to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
The battle of former champions at the 'Nest of Champions' will see both sides hope to build on their previous games, having both picked their first three points of the season in game week 3.
Akwa United won the NPFL for the first time in 2021, while Plateau United won their first in 2017. Both sides are gunning for a second league title this season.
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