It was a season to remember for Benin Republic striker, Godwin Efeneja Akpo, after helping Attack Energy SC, to a flawless campaign, winning all their games without conceding any goal.
Playing seven games for the club out of total 11 games, the first African player to play in the Afghanistan Champions League, Akpo, scored seven goals with three assists, to help his club to the title.
According to him, he never planned to move to Afghanistan but the ambition of the club made him change his mind and his performance already made other clubs look out for African players ahead of the new campaign.
“I just got a call from a sport journalist who told me he got my contact from a friend in Iran who told him how good I was and he wrote a short story about me and the two biggest club in the country wants my service so after much discussion with the president of both clubs I made my own investigation and I decided to join Attack Energy FC because of their ambition to play in AFC Cup,” he said.
“Coming to Afghanistan was never my plan but I was convinced to come because of their ambition to play in AFC Cup and besides I know I could adapt because I understand their language and can speak to a large extent since they and Iran speaks the same language so it wasn’t really a hard decision to make because they gave me everything I needed to make me feel comfortable.
“I played in Iran before, Sudan, Nigeria and Benin Republic. My first professional contract was in Sudan even though I spent just six months with them before coming back to Nigeria then traveling to Benin to sign with Jeunesse De Sportive D’agonlin (JSA) in 2017
“My achievement so far is good in terms of my statistics and I helped my team win the league without any defeat or conceding a goal. I think that will be a record no team can beat again. It will be a record for a life-time and I am happy I was part of that wonderful team.”
Speaking of his time in the Nigeria Premier Football League, where he played for Wikki Tourists and Gombe United, the Nigerian-born Benin forward said he was able to help Gombe United maintain their status in the elite division as he gave his all for the team.
Meanwhile, Akpo has set his sights on representing the Gernot Rohr-led Squirrel of Benin as they continue to fight for a slot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The player who recently nationalised as a Benin Republic citizen said the ambition of every player is to represent his national team while also playing at the highest level which is the European Champions League.
He added: “I know I am going to play at the highest level, hopefully go to Europe or play in a big team in Asia someday and by God’s grace help my country play in the World Cup because they have never qualified or played in the World Cup.
“My dream team would be to play for Real Madrid or Arsenal, I will say Real Madrid because it’s the team I love and support and I also said Arsenal because my dad is a die hard fan and I know he always talk about how he would love to see me play at the club someday even though he is late, I would be happy to make his dreams come through.”
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CS what’s happening today is Nigeria match and you’re promoting this. SMH Nigeria media sha!!!