Tonda Eckert praises Romeo Akachukwu but plan for season remains undecided | OneFootball

Tonda Eckert praised Romeo Akachukwu after the 20-year-old scored his first senior goal for Saints, but said plans for the Irishman this season remain undecided.

Akachukwu struck the second on Saturday as Saints opened 2026/27 with a professional 2-0 Carabao Cup win at League Two Colchester United. Fellow substitute Cyle Larin had earlier glanced in Ryan Manning's cross.

"Good for him," Eckert told Daily Echo.

"There is such a long way. Obviously, I've known Romeo for a little bit longer. If you look at Braggy's (Cameron Bragg) pathway, it's the same thing. It's never just going in a straight line."

Akachukwu spent pre-season with the first team, scoring in a 3-1 friendly win at Eastleigh and featuring regularly. He made his senior debut two years ago under Russell Martin, coming on in a 5-3 Carabao Cup victory over Cardiff City. Eckert also worked with him during a brief stint in charge of the under-21s before his loan to Colchester in January.

"I don't know yet, and I have been quite honest with him. Obviously, if we keep him with us, there needs to be a chance that he plays minutes. We will see what the next weeks bring and make the right decision for him and for the club."

Source: Daily Echo

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