Nigerian-born midfielder Ibukun Akinfenwa has helped his Angolan club Primeiro D’Agosto win a first League title in 10 years while also scooping the prestigious best foreign player award in the process.
Primeiro D’Agosto amassed 66 points from a total of 30 games, two more than Petro de Luanda who finished four points ahead of defending champions Recreativo de Libolo. Primeiro also scored 60 goals (the most in the league) and conceded 22 (the third best in the competition).
Ibukun was an integral part of the team which won the title after narrowly losing to Recreativo do Libolo on goal the head-to-head rule last season and such was his outstanding form for the Angolan military team that he was easily voted the best foreigner in the Girabola.
“It feels great to be a part of the team to win the title after 10years. I’m so happy to write my name in gold in the history of the club. I was named in the Team of the Season and also adjudged the best foreign player. It’s being a fulfilling year and I’m so grateful to God,” Ibukun said in an exclusive chat from Luanda.
Ibukun, a firm fans favourite among the Agosto faithful, looks back at the season and reckons all the games were pretty difficult because they each presented different challenges.
“It will be difficult to pick one or two games as being difficult. Because of our experience last season when we narrowly lost on head-to-head, we regarded every game as a must-win and played each match like a cup final. It was tough but we are proud of what we were able to achieve,” the former Farense of Portugal attacking midfielder said.
Primeiro will campaign in the CAF Champions League next season but Ibukun is optimistic they can ruffle many feathers in the competition.
He said: “We have a young team but full of experienced players who can hold their own against any other team. We are also eager to bring back the glory of Angolan football on the continent. We plan to go far in the competition but we have to wait and see how things go first. Right now we are still celebrating our title win.”
Ibukun, who has had stints in Belgium and Portugal before opting to sign for the Angolan giants, has one year left to run on his contract but has expressed a desire to stay with Agosto.
“I like it here and I want to stay. I will continue to work hard to improve my game and help Agosto to get better and win more titles,’ he added.
COMMENTS