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Tag: Akwa United

  • Enyimba crowned NPFL champions

    Enyimba have secured their eighth league title following their 2-1 win over Akwa United on Wednesday in their final match of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super Six.

    Goals from Rueben Bala, Stanley Dimgba and Abdulrahman Bashir ensured that the People’s Elephant secured maximum points against the Promise Keepers to end the championship play-offs with an unassailable 12 points.

    After netting two goals in the last game against Ifeanyi Ubah, coach Usman  Abd’Allah retained Bala upfront with the duo of Stanley Dimgba and Bashir Abdulrahman getting starting roles.

    On his part, the Akwa United coach handed Mfon Udoh a starting role, having opted to have the top striker come in from the bench in the last two games.

    Read Also: Breaking: Ex-Enyimba player killed in Aba

    Aniefiok Godspower and Marshal Johnson got starts against the People’s Elephant. After a slow or rather cautious start by both teams, Udoh almost got the lead against his former club Emyimba but while he directed his header at goal, it was well-saved by Theophilus Afelokhai in goal for the People’s Elephant.

    Enyimba responded with a big chance of their own minutes after, as the left-footed free kick by Joseph Osadiaye stung the palms of Akwa keeper Emmanuel Iwu and the follow-up volley by Bashir clipped the crossbar and went over.

    Both teams kept pushing for the crucial opening goal and it was Enyimba that found a way in the 43rd minute when Osadiaye got the ball across for Bala who bundled it home past Iwu despite the challenge of an Akwa defender. Enyimba were relieved to take the slim lead into the break.

    In the second half, Akwa United mustered all their effort to get an equaliser but against an Enyimba team that had the best defensive record during the regular season, they just did not find a way through.

    While the Promise Keepers threw in all their energy going upfront to save their failing campaign,  they were further punished in the 89th when Abdulrahman Bashir picked up a loose ball and smashed it from distance past Iwu to put the icing on the cake for Enyimba.

    On the hour, the People’s Elephant extended their lead when Dimgba peeled off a ball-watching Akwa defense to head past goalkeeper Iwu from Stanley Okorom’s cross.With this 3-0 win, Enyimba finished the season on 12 points, making sure nobody can catch them.

  • Sunusi dedicates NPFL Best Marksman award to mentor

    The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) highest scorer in the concluded 2019 season Ibrahim Sunusi has dedicated his award to Ibrahim Usman Oguns, whom he claimed contributed immensely to his decision to play football.

    Sunusi beat Mfon Udoh of Akwa United on disciplinary ground after both were tied at 10 goals each at the end of the regular season and the striker who expressed happiness at his emergence as the best marksman in the league quickly offered to dedicate the accolade to his football father, Oguns who is the head coach of the Ministry of Sports,

    Nasarawa State football team and the head of Nigeria Referee Association in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

    “I am thrilled to be declared the highest scorer in the league in just my second season in the NPFL,” Sunusi told NationSport.

    “I know I am just starting and I will like to dedicate this award to my football father, Ibrahim Usman Oguns who has done a good job to ensure that I take football as a career. He did a lot to ensure that I become a better player and all that I am today was due to him.

    Read Also: Oladapo seeks ‘glory’ at NPFL playoffs

    “I will continue to work harder and I must thank my teammates at Nasarawa United, the coaches, and the management for the support offered to me to ensure that I work under a good environment. I was able to score 10 goals this season and playing all the 22 games without missing anyone.

    “I could have gone throughout the season without a booking if not for the yellow card I collected against Kada City after I went to complain to the referee who gave Kada City a controversial penalty in the dying minutes of the game. We lost the game 1-2 in Kaduna.”

  • FA cup: Gov Udom doles out N70m to Akwa Utd

    These are happy times for premier league side Akwa United as the state governor has made good his promise of naira rain on the team for winning last year FA cup.

    Governor Udom Emmanuel Wednesday put smiles on the faces of team with a Cheque of N70million.

    The club apparently impressed by the feat at a time when some clubs are singing lamentation songs over unpaid wages and fees took to their twitter handle @AkwaUnited_fc to announce the windfall while thanking the Governor for keeping to his promise.

    His Excellency @MrUdomEmmanuel has reward us @Akwaunitedfc for winning the 2017 Aiteo Cup competition with a cash sum of 70Million Naira.  Thank you Governor Udom Emmanuel

    Recall that Akwa united claimed the title decided at the Agege Township Stadium otherwise called the temple after defeating equally hard fighting and ambitious Niger Tornadoes 3-2 on penalty.

    Last year’s victory marked the second time the Uyo based side will be clinching the title after winning it in 2015 after a 2-1 defeat of Lobi stars.  The Agege Stadium encounter which drew creme dela creme to the temple ended goalless at regulation time and headed straight into penalty.

    The team had earlier pocketed N25 million for their effort while runners up Tornadoes got N10million.

    Akwa United it will equally be recalled put up spirited effort in the Confederation Cup but failed to go beyond the group stage.

  • Commissioner seals covenant with Maryanne today in Uyo

    KIT manager, Aniedi Isaiah popularly called commissioner by Akwa United faithful has finally found love.

    Notable Nigerian footballers had in recent years  dragged their partners to the pitch to demonstrate the symmetry between football and marriage last year, China-based striker, Anthony Ujah became an item on social media  with some beautiful pose with his  then wife-to-be, Elizabeth.

    Commissioner would demonstrated  he’s indeed  a ‘knight in shining armour’ for  Maryanne Isidore Uchacha  and what better way to show his love than to drag  her to the hallowed turf of the Nest of Champions while  both turned the stadium to a love nest with pre-wedding photoshoot.

    “Taking  our pre-wedding pictures with Akwa  United  jerseys and on the pitch at the Nest of Champions here in Uyo  is because I love my team and I always want to promote my team,” volunteered Isaiah.

    The 24-year-old said, “as the kits manager of Akwa United,   I am so used to the team’s colour; Godswill Akpabio International stadium is the best stadium in this country and since I spent most of my time working at the stadium during training and matches I decided to take my pre wedding pictures there and I’m so  proud of my club, Akwa United.

    Love story is all about fantasy and Jim Sturgess, English actor  put it in proper perspective: ‘ it’s about love at first sight-when you just fall in love instantly and will battle any obstacle to be with that girl.’

    Hear Commissioner speaks as he purred on his 23-year-old partner  he took to the  registry at Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on Friday :“I met my wife at a sit out with friends and we hit it off ; started a relationship that has metamorphosed into marriage.

    “Immediately I  saw her, I knew she was the one. My spirit told me that she will be the best for me and I followed my spirit; believe me she is my type of woman. “Physically, Commissioner’s bean-pole stature is in sharp contrast to that of his partner but he’s sure about his choice, adding God is the bedrock of their relationship.

    “My woman is caring, loving, intelligent and above all, a God fearing woman,” he reiterated.

    “My wife is from a very good Christian home just like me and we are both from a very humble background. Love is what keep us together and by the grace of God I don’t think anything can come between us.”

    Meanwhile, the wedding ceremony between Maryanne and her beau will be completed today  at the  World of Faith Covenant Assembly in Uyo.

  • Akwa vs Al Hilal:  Governor Udom throws gates open

     

    Ahead of the second leg CAF Confederation Cup play off between Akwa United and Al Hilal of Sudan billed for Wednesday at the Nest of Champions, the Akwa Ibom state government has throw the gates open to enable supporters storm the arena in full force.

    Akwa United lost the first leg 0-2 in Sudan and are hoping to turn the table at home in front of their vociferous fans.

    The Uyo based side took to their twitter handle Saturday to thank the State Governor udom Emmanuel for the gesture while urging their fans to turn our in large numbers for the all important showdown. At least 30,000 fans are expected to watch the match free of charge.

    “Fans to watch Akwa United vs Al-Hilal match free of charge Courtesy of His Excellency Gov. Udom Emmanuel.

    30,000 fans expected at the Nest of Champions on Wednesday. Thank you Gov. Emmanuel for the kind gesture,” the club enthused.

    Akwa United coach Abdul Maikaba told the media on Friday in Uyo that he is optimistic that his boys can turn the table despite the 2-0 disadvantage. “In football, nothing is impossible. I don’t have to go too far back in history. Ask Barcelona, ask Real Madrid. On both occasions, the underdogs held sway. We respect the Sudanese, they were established over 88 years ago and are perennial CAF Champions League campaigners yet in Uyo, we are sure they will meet their waterloo.” he said

    A 33-man strong Al Hilal of Sudan delegation, comprising 22 players and 11 officials, are expected to hit the country any moment from now ahead Wednesday’s clash

    Though CAF regulations stipulate a squad of 25 with 18 players and seven officials, the Sudanese champions are not leaving anything to chance for the match that will determine who goes ahead to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.

    The Sudanese go into the match with 2-0 advantage secured in the first leg, which implies that the Nigerian side will have to score three un-replied replied goals to have a safe landing.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Conf/cup play-off: Akwa United depart for Sudan

     

    *to tackle Al-hilal Sunday

    Nigeria Professional football League side Akwa United left the shores of the country Wednesday for Sudan where they will confront Al Hilal in the 1st leg of the CAF Confederation Cup playoffs.

    The Uyo based side jetted out aboard Ethiopian Airline and will catch a connecting flight to Khartoum for the match billed for Sunday.

    All four Nigerian clubs namely Enyimba, Akwa United, Plateau United and MFM will be competing in the Confederation cup after Plateau and MFM crashed out the Champions league and slipped into the second tier Confederation cup.

    Akwa United will be hoping to put up a good show in Sunday with a view to consolidating int he second leg to be played in Uyo later.

    While Akwa United will be sweating it out in Sudan, league defending champions Plateau United will equally confront visiting USM Arger at the Agege Township stadium otherwise dubbed the temple.

    The Jos based side will be hoping that the Lagos fans known for their massive turn out at the Temple will turn out to support the team as they confront the visitors on Sunday and hope to make a mark on the continent

    Plateau united manager, Kennedy Boboye who has since shifted focus to the Confederation cup shortly after exiting the Champions league, fought hard to remain in the Champions league but their effort did could not guarantee the needed point to stay put. The team was sent packing by Etoile du Sahel.

    The Jos team defeated the North African side 1-0 in the reverse fixture, but eventually lost on a 3-4 aggregate after losing 4-2 in Sousse.

     

     

     

  • AL Ittihad chartered flight for Akwa United

    EXPERIENCED CAF Club contenders, AlIttihad of Libya will fly Vicdirectly from Tripoli to Uyo today in a private jet that has been put at the disposal of the club by shareholders from the oil rich country. An advance party led by Abushawashi Snoussi that arrived Lagos last Tuesday aboard Royal Air Maroc and departed for Uyo same day via Dana Air, confirmed that the AL Ittihad chartered flight for Akwa United team was going to fly into Uyo with a chartered flight.

    “The initial problem is that we had applied to land in Uyo, but we were told that with Uyo yet to be granted international status, we will be permitted to land in Port Harcourt and drive down. But plans are concluded to make us land in Uyo, since teams like Algeria and South Africa have had to land there before” Snoussi stated. The Libyan was also spotted in the five star Le Meridien Hotel and Golf Resort where he had made reservations for his team, after deciding that all the other hotels in Uyo were not good enough for his team. An impressed staff of Le Meridien Hotel said “this is how it should be.

    In Nigeria, we have not yet started. See what a common club-side is doing and they want us to compete favourably?” He, however, add that he was convinced despite the show of wealth and good organization, Akwa United was going to beat them and qualify for the next round of the CAF Confederation Cup. “Anyway, we will beat them,” he added. Akwa United need two unreplied goals on Sunday to progress to the next round after losing to an 83rd minute strike in the first leg match played in Sfax, Tunisia March 7.

  • CAF Confed Cup: Akwa United chief urges players to defeat Gambian side

    CAF Confed Cup: Akwa United chief urges players to defeat Gambian side

    Mr Paul Bassey, Chairman, Akwa United FC of Uyo, has urged the players to sustain the club’s winning tempo against their Gambian opponents in the CAF Confederation Cup encounter in Uyo.

    Bassey made the appeal in an interview with the News men on Friday in Uyo.

    The News men reports that Akwa United will host Banjul Hawks FC in the first leg fixtures of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Sunday.

    Akwa United are currently on top of the league table with 16 points after seven games.

    The club won the AITEO Cup, formerly called the Federation Cup by defeating Niger Tornadoes 3-2 on penalties at the Agege Stadium in October, 2017.

    Bassey said the club should ensure it was not only known in the country but also on the continent by defeating the visiting Gambian side.

    “This year is good because the season started early enough. This has given us good match practice ahead of our CAF Confederations Cup game against our Gambian counterpart.

    Read Also: Akwa United   to reverse Nigeria’s failure in CAF Confederation Cup – Coach

    “We are not worried about playing the first leg at home; the most important thing is to be able to showcase ourselves whether at home or away.

    “We just need to play well and score some goals before going to Banjul for the second leg,’’ he said.

    Bassey said that though the club had little information about the Gambian side, the players should defeat them.

    “The truth is, we have little information about our opponents as we had difficulties in laying our hands on any of their videos either in training or competitive matches.

    “However, from the little scouting we have done, we know that they are a formidable side and always try to slow the momentum when in possession.

    “But they often look vulnerable at the back against more young and energetic teams like ours who play quick attacking football.

    “We are not intimidated by their style of football as our boys have been equipped by the matches they have played in the league and we will be ready to crush the Gambians’ defensive tactics and formation,’’ he said.

    “It was also very important that we won our last game at home against Wikki Tourists by a convincing 4-0 margin last Sunday as it was our final preparatory game before the continental tie.

    “I was impressed by the way the players and technical crew responded and I am confident that the goals we recorded will give us the necessary confidence and boost ahead of Sunday’s continental tie.’’

    The Hawks, who arrived in Uyo from Banjul on Wednesday will host Akwa United in the return leg scheduled for Feb. 21 at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, Gambia.

    NAN

     

  • NPFL: Plateau rain goals on Sunshine Stars as Akwa conquer Wikki,

    NPFL: Plateau rain goals on Sunshine Stars as Akwa conquer Wikki,

    Akwa United Football Club of Uyo maintained top spot on the 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League ( NPFL ) log with a 4-0 thumping of Wikki Tourists FC on Sunday.

    After the emphatic win at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the hosts have now garnered 16 points from seven games, one more than Plateau United FC of Jos.

    The defending champions also enjoyed a comfortable afternoon with their 5-0 trouncing of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure in Jos.‎

    Ubong Friday, Victor Mbaoma, Micheal Ibe and Christian Pygbara were all on target in the 14th, 67th, 82nd and 89th minutes respectively for Akwa United.

    The heavy defeat suffered by Wikki Tourists saw them slipped four steps to 12th position on the NPFL log.

    Plateau United were in devastating form against Sunshine Stars with new arrival Tosin Omoyele grabbing a brace in the 2nd and 80th minutes for the demolition of the Owena Waves.

    The young forward has now scored three goals for the Jos-based club side this season.

    Sunday Ingbede, Emeka Umeh and Mafeng Pam also scored in the 15th, 18th and 89th minutes respectively for the Jos-based side.

    Read Also: NPFL Abia Warriors demolish Rivers United 4-1

    The champions are on the second spot on the log, while Sunshine Stars slipped to 5th position on the log.

    Third-placed Kano Pillars also had a great afternoon edging hard-fighting MFM FC 2-0 at the Sani Abacha Stadium.

    League’s leading scorer Junior Lokosa opened scoring from the penalty kick spot in the 52nd minute, his seventh goal of the season.

    Adamu Hassan made the three points safe with a fine strike in the 90th minute.

    MFM FC dropped two steps further down the NPFL log to seventh position.

    In Owerri, former champions Heartland recorded their first win of the season following a comfortable 2-0 home win against Kwara United.

    Biodun Thompson netted the opener for the “Naze Millionaires’’ in the 10th minute, while Stanley Egbujor added the second 11 minutes from time.

    Heartland climbed to 15th, while Kwara United dropped three steps further down to the bottom of the 20-club log.

    At the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi, Lobi Stars secured a hard-fought 1-0 win against visiting FC IfeanyiUbah with midfielder Esosa Igbinoba getting the decisive goal in the 26th minute.

    FC IfeanyiUbah are now without a win in their last four games as they sit in 16th position, while Lobi Stars moved a step up to fourth on the log.

    Seven-time champions Enyimba held hosts El-Kanemi Warriors to a goalless draw in Maiduguri, with Bello Kofar-mata missing a penalty kick for the hosts three minutes before the break.

    Enyimba FC is now in eighth position, while El-Kanemi Warriors slipped one step down to 14th on the log.

    Katsina United defeated Niger Tornadoes 2-0 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, with Chinedu Ajanah and Eric Dufegha getting the goals in the 7th and 48th minutes respectively.

    The Oriental derby clash between Abia Warriors and Rangers International ended in a goalless draw, while Rivers United beat Go Round FC 1-0 in the Rivers State derby.

    Oche Salefu’s 81st minute goal from a penalty kick separated both sides.

    NAN

     

     

  • Akwa United unveils new players set for new season

    Akwa United unveils new players set for new season

     

    Premier league side Akwa United appear set for action in the new season after the coach  Abdu Maikaba led side unveiled a 16 -man list Saturday in what could pass for bring on any opponent pose.

    Included in the 16-man list are four players newly recruited from other clubs to fortify the squad for new season showdown

    The new players according to information dished out by the club include Dennis Nya acquired from Lobi Stars, Etim Mathew from Rangers international, Adeshina Gata from ABS and Ajiboye Otegbeye from Sunshine stars of Akure.

    Akwa United open their campaign in the new season against Rangers at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on January 14.

    The 2017 Aiteo Cup Champions won all their six preseason matches scoring 36 goals in the process. Though that could be dubbed good pre-season effort, coach Maikaba however said though he was impressed by the team’s effort there is need to be ready to go the extra mile adding that he needs to assess the team in more competitive ties.

    Akwa United finished fourth on the log last season with 60 points in 38 matches.  The Uyo landlords will not only be hoping to be in a killer mood for the new season but will also need to be on top of their game as they fly the Nation’s flag in the CAF Confederation Cup.  They have been drawn against Banjul United of Gambia in a two legged tie billed for 9th and 16th of February respectively.  Akwa United will host Banjul United on the 9th and then head to Banjul for the second leg on the 16th.

    The full list of battle ready players for the club is as follows:

    1. Daniel Ekpo
    2. Dennis Nya
    3. Etim Matthew
    4. Adeshina Gata
    5. Ajibola Otegbeye
    6. Victor Mbaoma
    7. Kelly Kester
    8. Yenne Tenton
    9. Gabriel Wassa
    10. Kenneth James
    11. Aniekeme Asuquo
    12. Katoh Haggai
    13. Aminu Nuhu
    14. Kenneth James
    15. Etboy Akpan
    16. Emmanuel Charles