Akwa United coach Deji Ayeni has claimed he expected a tough time against Remo Stars whom his side played host to at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium Uyo, Nigeriasoccernet can report.
Akwa United laboured to a 1-0 win over their stubborn visitors and the Promise Keeper's gaffer said he had to calm the nerves of his players who were nervous at some points during the game.
"I knew the match was not going to be easy, we prepared ourselves psychologically, technically and tactically but when the goal refused to come, we had to take easy till it came," Ayeni said.
"The boys were anxious since it's been a long time we won a game and brought some kind of pressure unto them and I told them during halftime that they had to cool down and relax.
"When we failed to score we made sure we did not concede like the last time against Enyimba," he stated.
Akwa United who mathematically are still in contention for a place in the continent will take on Rivers United on the Matchday 34 of the league.