Akwa Ibom state government tendered rewards for victory over Sunshine.
Akwa United coach Justin Tenger admits financial incentives motivated his players to thrash Sunshine Stars on Sunday.
The Promise Keepers steamrolled their Nigeria Premier League rivals at the Uyo Township Stadium, registering an impressive 4-0 victory with leading scorer Mfon Udoh bagging a brace, Emmanuel Ariwa knowing in the third and substitute Dauda Eboh completing the rout.
But it wasn’t the promise of three points that drove the squad to perform so well, but the monetary rewards offered by financier Akwa Ibom state government and the performance was a gesture of appreciation.
“The players came all out to give their very best in the encounter and I make bold to say as a result of the 30% negotiated signing-on fees for the 2012/13 season they got from the state government,” he revealed to SuperSport.
“So the magic of today’s (Sunday’s) victory is the fall-out of the financial relief coming from the payment, at least, it has gone a long way to alleviate their past sufferings and financial burden.
“The only motivation that brings out the best in the players and coaches is financial motivation, as it stands now I’m already thinking of going out there to pick my first win on the road.”
The win lifted Akwa up to 11th in the NPL table and leapfrogged Sunshine, who dropped down to 13th.
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