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Tag: Akwa United

  • Heartland Pull Out Of today’s Pre-season Friendly With Akwa United

    Heartland Pull Out Of today’s Pre-season Friendly With Akwa United

    Heartland FC of Owerri have pulled out of today’s pre-season friendly with Akwa United due to logistical reasons.

    The Promise Keepers will now play Bright Stars FC of Uyo at the training pitch of the Godswill Akpabio international Stadium at 4pm.

    The game was meant to prepare both teams for the 2017-2018 Nigeria Professional Football League season billed to kick off shortly.

    The friendly had been confirmed by the Team Manager of Akwa United; Emmanuel Udoh after Tuesday morning’s training session.

    Akwa United two friendlies last week against Flying Sports Academy of Eket and NYSC State team, winning both matches and scoring ten goals.

    Wednesday’s match would have been their first pre-season friendly against an NPFL team.

     

    Culled from Sportsrollcall.com

  • Lagosians join Akwa United supporters in celebration

    Lagosians join Akwa United supporters in celebration

    Jubilant supporters of Akwa United FC on Sunday in Lagos took to the streets of Agege and its environs to celebrate their team’s victory over Niger Tornadoes in the AITEO finals.

    The supporters had immediately after the match, took over the streets gleefully dancing, singing and blowing their trumpets to savour the epic win over the Northern opposition, who gave them a run for their money.

    Akwa United emerged winners of the maiden AITEO Cup in the finals played at Agege Township Stadium.

    The Abdul Makaiba-tutored team laboured to a 3-2 penalty shootout win over Niger Tornadoes in the Nigeria’s oldest cup after the regulation time ended in a deadlock.

    Gov. Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom had led an unprecedented crowd to cheer their darling team to victory at the 2017 AITEO Cup, formerly Federation Cup.

    The recent win by Akwa United marked the second time the club will clinch the cup having won it in 2015.

    Akwa United went home with N25 million prize and will be representing Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup.

    Niger Tornadoes runners-up, who defeated defending champions, FC Ifeanyi Ubah are also N10 million richer.

    Speaking with NAN, a supporter, Ifem Eden, described the team’s victory over Niger Tornadoes as a well deserved one.

    “This is a tough game for us which we need to celebrate. We are happy with the kind of support we get from our governor.

    “We are very pleased with the win and the support we got from the Lagos fans,” he said.

    Another supporter, Godson Emmanuel, said with the victory the team had made a statement in Nigeria’s football.

    “This is our second win in the space of two years and we are happy; the support from Lagos fans is tremendous, maybe our people here must have prepared the ground for us.”

    NAN

  • Breaking: Akwa United Wins 2017 AITECO Cup

    Breaking: Akwa United Wins 2017 AITECO Cup

    Carts home N25m

    Akwa United  FC have emerged champions of this year’s AITECO  Cup today after defeating Tornadoes.   The scoreline at the final whistle was 0-0 but the Promise Keepers prevailed 3-2 after penalty shoot –out to become the first winners of the captivating AITEO trophy.

    In 2015, they also won the competition which was formerly known as the Federation Cup.

    Akwa United will  now get  the cash prize of N25 million and would also be representing Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup.
    On their part, Niger Tornadoes, who eliminated defending champions, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, to make it to the Lagos final will get N10 million.

    Meanwhile, the colourful final was watched by a glittering array of eminent personalities, including Governors Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) and Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger State), CAF President Ahmad, CAF Vice Presidents Kwesi Nyantakyi and Omari Selemani, CAF Emergency Committee members Souleman Waberi and Amaju Melvin Pinnick, Executive Committee members of NFF, chieftains of sponsors AITEO, NFF Management, Members of the Lagos State Executive Council and members of the diplomatic community.

    Victory handed Akwa United, whose goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo won both the Best Goalkeeper and Most Valuable Player awards and whose Coach, Abdu Maikaba was adjudged the Best Coach, a ticket to represent Nigeria in the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup competition.

    Akwa United forward Christian Pyagbara also claimed the Top Scorer’s award with his seven goals in this year’s competition.

  • Tornadoes To Lock Horns With Akwa United In Final

    Tornadoes To Lock Horns With Akwa United In Final

    Akwa United FC defeated Sunshine Stars 3-1 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in the second leg of their AITEO Cup semi final fixture on Sunday.

    Christian Pyagbara scored the second for The Promise Keepers in the second half to lead the Top Scorer’s race with seven goals. Akwa United’s first came from Cyril Oliseme.

    The Owena Whales thought they had clinched a place in the grand finale when Franklin Sasere scored to make it 2-1, meaning they would go through on the away goals’ rule. But Super Eagles’ midfielder Ifeanyi Ifeanyi netted a third that took the hosts into next Sunday’s final in Lagos.

    They went through on 3-2 aggregate, and will clash with Niger Tornadoes of Minna (4-3 winners over Cup holders FC IfeanyiUbah in the other semi final) in the men’s final at the Agege Stadium, Lagos on Sunday 15th October 2017.

  • NPLF: Plateau pip MFM, as Akwa close gap with win

    NPLF: Plateau pip MFM, as Akwa close gap with win

    With four rounds of matches in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) to go, Plateau United on Saturday emerged victorious in the top-of-the-table clash, pipping the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Football Club (MFM FC) 1-0 at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos.

     Ibe Johnson got the solitary goal of the match at third minute a win, which makes the Jos-based side unbeaten in 36 home matches.

     Plateau United were without goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye while the Olukoya Boys missed top strikers Stephen Odey and Sikiru Olatunbosun, as all players were away to represent the Home-Based Eagles at the CHAN Qualifiers.

     Enyimba claimed all three points against the Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) at the UJ Eusene Stadium, Calabar to reach 54 points and joint third with Akwa United.

    Stanley Dimgba headed in an Ikechukwu Ibenegbu free-kick in the 16th minute, as Eric Frimpong and Ibrahim Mustapha’s goals ensured it ended 3-0 for the Aba Elephants.

     In Umuahia, Abia Warriors defeated Shooting Stars of Ibadan 2-0 with Ndifreke Effiong scoring in 13 minutes, from close range, and Alabe Osawe unluckily turned in Ndifreke’s shot into his own net at the 42nd minute.

     Akwa United closed down the gap behind MFM FC with a massive 3-0 thrashing of Niger Tornadoes. Cyril Olisema put Akwa United ahead against Niger Tornadoes in the 27th minute with a free kick at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium and Gabriel Okechukwu added a second eight minutes before the break. Edem Akakatang made it 3-0 for Akwa United.

     In Sagamu, Remo’s relegation bell rang loud as they went behind in the 15th minute against Rivers United when Bernard Ovoke struck a free kick. Emeka Ogbuh grabbed the second for the Port Harcourt side nineteen minutes after the opener. Esosa Igbinoba turned in the third of the evening for The Pride of Rivers just over the hour mark. Safewi Ochowechi scored a consolatory goal for Remo with two minutes left on the clock

     NPFL MatchDay 34 Result

    Enyimba 3-0 ABS

    Katsina United 2-0 Wikki Tourist

    Enugu Rangers 1-0  Sunshine Stars

    Plateau United 1-0   MFM FC

    Abia Warriors 2-0 Shooting Stars

    Akwa United 3-0  Niger Tornadoes

    Gombe United 1-0 Kano Pillars

    Remo Stars 1-3 Rivers United

    Nasarawa United 1-0 Lobi Stars

  • Akwa United too strong to fall apart, boasts Aremu

    Akwa United too strong to fall apart, boasts Aremu

    Akwa United’s Afeez Aremu acknowledges the improvement in the performance of Akwa United, compared to last season’s.

    The Promise Keepers are fourth in the Nigeria Professional Football League table – with only a point away from a top three spot – after 25 round of matches.

    Thus, prompting the defensive midfielder to state that Abdu Maikaiba’s setup are ‘too strong to fall apart’ within the space of the remaining 13 Nigerian topflight matchdays.

    “We are in a good moment and we have to keep it up. The closing weeks of the season is when you stay near the top or fall away. This team is too strong to fall apart at this crucial stage,” Aremu told Goal.

    “Last season we didn’t perform in those weeks which made it difficult in the league, this season we are there, very close to the top and winning important games.

    “We have been improving, and you can see that in the table. It’s no secret we are playing better, all the players are involved and this is the time of the year when there are a lot of games in all competitions.”

     

  • Akwa United Salute Ubong Friday on VAT Wonder Goal Award

    Akwa United’s camp is bubbling with excitement as the coaches, players and management staff of the club are  celebrating one of her own, Ubong Friday whose sumptuous strike was voted Wonder Goal of the week on Matchday 21 by football fans.

    Friday’s goal received a whopping 81.1% of the votes to beat Godwin Obaje of FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Wilfred Ammeh of Niger Tornadoes to emerge the second winner of the award which was instituted barely three weeks ago.

    Chairman of Akwa United FC,  Paul Bassey congratulated the  Akwa Ibom-born striker on his achievement and described the goal as world class.

    Bassey explained that Friday’s Goal of the Week Award has brought honour and respect to the club and the state.

    The club boss encouraged other players of the team to be more dedicated by giving their best to the team in her quest for honours this season, stressing that there is always reward for hard work.

    “On behalf of Akwa United Football Club, I wish to congratulate Ubong Friday for winning the VAT Wonder Goal of the Week Award. The goal was brilliant and breathtaking, capable of winning any match.  This award will motivate the team to aspire for more honours in the league this season.

    “Many people around the world have viewed the goal online. They now know that there is a club called Akwa United where we have wonderful and talented players capable of playing fantastic football. We are grateful to the sponsors of this award for rewarding excellence and promoting sport development in the country”.

    As a reward, Ubong Friday will receive N150,000 from the sponsors of the award with half of the money expected to be given out to any charity organisation of the player’s choice within Akwa Ibom State.

    The VAT Wonder Goal of the Week Award is supported by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in collaboration with the LMC with the aim of using the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matches to create awareness and encourage Nigerians to develop the attitude of paying tax regularly.

  • Rangers target victory against Akwa United on Sunday

    Rangers target victory against Akwa United on Sunday

    Amaobi Ezeaku, Team Manager, Rangers International FC of Enugu, says his player are prepared to pocket the three points against Akwa United.

    Rangers will host Akwa United of Uyo at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on Sunday for in Match Day 24 of the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    Speaking to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Enugu, Ezeaku said that the club could not afford to lose another two precious point at home.

    “We take every game at a time and Akwa United match will be a tough one because no game is a comfortable one and we take every match as a final and this one of the finals for us.

    “Remember, we played 0-0 in Uyo, so, this time they will come out smoking for at least a draw but they will not see it talk less of touching it.

    “God with us, we are going to pocket the three points at the end of the 90 minutes because it is good to always smile home with points.

    NAN reports that Rangers forfeited two points to the League Management Company (LMC) by drawing 1-1 at home in their last match against Nasarawa United of Lafia at home.

    Meanwhile, Ezeaku expressed joy for their mid-week 1-1 draw against El-Kanemi Warrior of Maiduguri on June 7.

    “Well, I give glory to God because we went to Maiduguri aiming for victory but we ended up getting a point and it was unfortunate that El-Kanemi equalised in less than ten minute to the end of the match.

    “Thank God for the point and it is the first time El-Kanemi is experiencing such in their home since 2013 and I feel honoured that Rangers was the jinx breaker,’’ he said.

  • Human Rights Commission to partner Akwa United

    Human Rights Commission to partner Akwa United

    National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed its willingness to partner Akwa United Football Club in sensitizing players of the club on their rights as professional footballers.

    The Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of the Commission, Tony Iji made this known when he led top staff of the commission on a courtesy visit to the management of Akwa United FC in Uyo.

    Iji said it was the mandate of NHRC to educate Nigerians on their rights and also to ensure that citizen’s rights were not violated either by another individual or by organisations.

    The state coordinator said the partnership will offer the commission an opportunity to enlighten players of the club that as professionals, they should honour any contract they signed with clubs. He, however, stressed that it was necessary for footballers to know that any contract can be terminated by both parties through mutual consent.

    Iji urged management of the club to ensure that they keep to contract terms entered into with players.

    In his response, the Chairman of Akwa United FC,  Paul Bassey praised the NHRC for choosing to associate with the club.

    Bassey, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Sports, informed that Akwa United is a professional club in which both the management and players are working together to achieve the dreams and aspirations of the  government and good people of the state.

    According to him, under the sterling leadership of the sports friendly government,  Akwa United has benefited immensely in terms of cooperation and unalloyed support.

  • MFM’s Tchato eyes victory over Akwa United

    MFM’s Tchato eyes victory over Akwa United

    Giscard Tchato is confident of MFM having a positive start to the second round of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    The Olukoya Boys, placed second on the log, host Akwa United at the Agege Stadium on Sunday.

    “We are ready to host Akwa United this weekend, we are waiting for them and we are confident that we shall secure a win,” Tchato told Goal.

    “The confidence in the team is very encouraging, I am optimistic that we shall secure the maximum points on Sunday.

    “We lost to them in Uyo but right now, the team is fresh, we know what’s at stake and the importance to stay up.

    “Keeping an excellent home record is key and will drive us to meet up with our target to finish in the continental zone.”