The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Akwa United

  • Akwa United beat Pillars 2-1

    Akwa United beat Pillars 2-1

    Amos Gyang made a goal-scoring debut but his effort was not enough for Kano Pillars to win at Akwa United, who fought back to win 2-1.

    Gyang, who started for Pillars since he was released from expelled club, Giwa FC, hit target after 55 minutes, when he smashed home from the edge of the box.

    However, the home team restored parity in the 77th minute courtesy of Kounnou Paterne from a goalmouth scramble.

    They then grabbed the match winner three minutes from time, when an unmarked Yusuf Adio turned in a free kick.

  • Akwa United: We will put Plateau Utd where they belong

    Akwa United: We will put Plateau Utd where they belong

    Akwa United have expressed readiness to take Plateau United to the cleaners when they trade tackles tonight at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

    The Promise Keepers are 14th on the log with four points from three matches and after losing narrowly to Kano Pillars last Sunday the Uyo side have promised to get all points against the Jos side as they seek improvement on the log.

    The media officer of the club, Uwem Ekoh told SportingLife that they are more than ready to host the Jos side in the NPFL Week 6 opener tonight in Uyo.

  • Udom dissolves Akwa United board

    Udom dissolves Akwa United board

    Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, on Tuesday dissolved the interim board and management of Akwa United Football Club of Uyo.

    The board’s dissolution was contained in a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Aniekan Umanah, and made available to The Nation via email.

    The governor also announced the appointment of Mr. Paul Bassey as new Chairman of the board and management of the Uyo- based side.

    Bassey’s appointment, according to the statement, takes immediate effect and would last for three months.

     

     

  • Akwa United: We won’t be complacent against Vital Club

    Akwa United: We won’t be complacent against Vital Club

    Akwa United chairman Nse Ubeh has assured Nigerians and their fans that the Promise Keepers would get the job completed on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo during the return leg of their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round tie against Vital Club Mokanda of Congo.

    The Uyo side who defeated the Congolese 1-0 in Pointe Noire will host the second leg by 7pm on Saturday and Ubeh in a chat with SportingLife noted that the players have been charged to forget about the first leg feat and concentrate on the home tie.

    Despite the boast of Republic of Benin international, Paterne Counou who disclosed that Vital Club would shock Akwa United in Uyo, Ubeh hinted that he won’t join issues with their visitors and that at the end of 90 minutes on Saturday they would show why they are the better side.

    The club chairman also revealed to SportingLife the reason the club accepted that the game be played by 7pm on Saturday: “We chose Saturday night because it is a weekend game and we want our fans to watch it in a relaxed mood.”

    Akwa United began training for the epic second leg clash on Wednesday night in Uyo after the team observed a day rest after their return from Akure on Monday where they held Sunshine Stars to a 1-1 draw in a NPFL Week One tie.

  • We are ready to play any match -Akwa United Chairman

    We are ready to play any match -Akwa United Chairman

    Akwa United are no doubt the form team of the moment in the Nigerian ProfessionaI Football League (NPFL).

    They finished last season as the Federations Cup champions defeating Lobi Stars 2-1 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, they have replaced Coach Zakary Baraje with renowned Nigerian League coach Morris Cooreman and all seems to smooth sailing for the team.

    Smooth sailing indeed as they travelled away in the preliminary stage of the CAF Confederations Cup and got a 1-0 away win in Congo against Club Vita de Mokanda, a feat not common amongst teams in the country, they then followed it up with a 4-3 penalty Charity Cup win against league champions Enyimba, following a goalless encounter in regulation time.

    The NPFL is in full swing this weekend and club Chairman Mr Nse Ubeh, has laid emphasis on the road ahead for the team.

    In a chat with Footballlive.ng he said: ”I have told the boys to put the victory behind them. We have a team of 35 and we are ready to play, any match they bring we would succeed.”

    When further pressed on the depth and not just the size on the Akwa United team, he gave the statement, “Sure we would succeed”.

  • Akwa United can’t fail now-Bassey

    Akwa United can’t fail now-Bassey

    It will be unthinkable if Akwa United fail to consolidate on their 1-0 away win to Vita Club de Mokanda, according to NFF Technical Committee member, Paul Bassey.Bassey was a member of the club’s contingent to Pointe-Noire.

    The team has since arrived the country.

    Akwa United stole an early first half lead which proved just enough to seal a first leg victory in the preliminary round tie.

    In chat with footballlive.ng, Bassey said the team will be on their way to Abuja for Wednesday’s 2016 NPFL curtain raiser; the annual Charity Cup match.

    Winners of the Nigeria Professional Football League play against the champions of the men’s Federation Cup inside the Abuja National Stadium

  • Enyimba, Akwa United battle for Charity Shield in Abuja

    Enyimba, Akwa United battle for Charity Shield in Abuja

    Nigerian champions Enyimba FC are in battle again, few days after they drew the short end against Ugandan champions Vipers FC in a first round, first leg CAF Champions League encounter in Kampala.This time, the People’s Elephant are up against Federation Cup winners Akwa United of Uyo in the annual Charity Cup match, in what is billed to be a titanic session at the National Stadium, Abuja on Wednesday. The Charity Cup traditionally opens the football season.

    Akwa United are brimming with immense confidence following a run of marvelous results, including beating better –fancied Lobi Stars to win the Federation Cup and conquering fellow continental campaigners  (Enyimba FC, Warri Wolves and Nasarawa in two rounds of the Super Four organised by the League Management Company (LMC).

    On Saturday, the boys from the Land of Promise boldly promised more, by beating more experienced Vita Club Mokanda of Congo 1-0 in Pointe Noir in a CAF Confederation Cup first round, first leg match.

    In Abuja on Wednesday, Ubong Moses Ekpai, whose goal in Pointe Noir has made the return leg against Vita Club Mokanda an easier session, will seek more goals, with goalkeeper Olufemi Kayode, former junior international Samuel Okon, Namso Edo, Ubong Friday, Kufre Ebong and U-23 star Godspower Igudia also set to impress.

    Enyimba FC have returned from Uganda feeling a sting, and it is the right time to let off steam and regain confidence ahead of the return leg against Vipers FC.

    Enyimba boast three of the best goalkeepers in the land, namely Olufemi Thomas, Moses Ocheje and Theophilus Afelokhai. Afelokhai was in action in Kampala, but any of the three can do a great job any day. They also have on their books Super Eagles’ aces Bartholomew Ibenegbu, Ezekiel Bassey, as well as others like Chinedu Udoji, Ugwu Uwadiegwu, Christian Pyagbara, Daniel Etor, Mfon Udoh, Andrew Abalogu, Oladapo Olufemi and Nzube Anaezemba.

    The match is also the perfect tune –up for both teams as the new Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) kicks off this weekend.

  • Confed Cup: Bassey hopes to continue impressive form for Akwa United

    Confed Cup: Bassey hopes to continue impressive form for Akwa United

    Akwa United’s goalkeeper  Akpan Bassey hopes he can reenact his stellar performances for the club at the recently concluded Super Four pre-season tournament in the Caf Confederation Cup when they make their debut on the continent later this month.

    The Nigerian Federation Cup champions conceded just one goal in the six matches played, as they emerged champions of the annual pre-season tournament, a feat which has seen the former Nigeria junior international attract commendation for his exploits between the sticks.

    He says he is now looking forward to making his mark for the Uyo-based club in the 2016 Caf Confederation Cup.

    “It’s always nice to hear football experts say good things about you,” Bassey told Goal after his club won the 2016 NPFL Super Four competition on Friday night.

    “I enjoyed the Super Four competition and the clean sheet but it’s over now and I want to concentrate on continental football with Akwa United, I want the team to make a mark.

    “We can take a step higher by consolidating on all fronts. I want to thank the good people of Akwa Ibom State for supporting us to victory in the concluding part of the Super Four tournament,” he added.

    They have a preliminary round first leg with Vital Club Mokanda of Congo next weekend in Brazzaville.

  • I couldn’t resist Akwa United’s Offer-Ekpai

    I couldn’t resist Akwa United’s Offer-Ekpai

    On his second spell with Federation Cup champions Akwa United, Ubong Ekpai understands that his return to the club is hinged on improved performance and helping the team’s quest for silverware in the local scene and the continent.

    Ekpai’s reunion with the Promise Keepers’ had been speculated months before the deal was sealed, but the flying winger shared his own side of the story with npfl.ng on arrival at the Ibom International Airport with Akwa United FC from the first round of the Super Four Pre-Season Tourney.

    The Super Eagles’ forward said the decision to team up with the Uyo side was borne out of his love and passion for the club.

    “I was really convinced on the deal. I always had it in mind that my home team will come for me and I found it hard to reject the offer to once again play for a club that gave me the platform to become a professional. I had options and tempting offers from other clubs, but the only deal that would have seen me ditch Akwa United would have been an offer from a foreign club.

    “I joined Akwa United to win trophies and I am certain with the quality of players in the team, we can challenge for the league title and the CAF Confederation Club.  This is the position of everyone in the squad and we are working towards achieving this at all cost,” he declared.

    Ekpai joined the Uyo based side from four-time Champions, Kano Pillars, and has immediately settled in with life in his new abode. He is believed to be one of the key figures that will lead Akwa United’s quest for their first league title and a shot in the continent.

    Akwa United will play Vita Club Mokanda of Congo, in the first leg of the CAF Confederations Cup qualifying round on February 14, and travel to Akure to face Sunshine Stars in the domestic league opener a week later.

  • Akwa United confident of victory in Akure

    Akwa United confident of victory in Akure

    •Target Super Four crown in Uyo

    Akwa United have stated that they are very confident that they will shock their hosts, Sunshine Stars in the MatchDay One of the Glo Premier League after the draws were made at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna venue of the ongoing LMC Super Four.

    The Promise Keepers lost their opening match of the Super Four to Warri Wolves but have bounced back to record four points from the last two matches played in Kaduna.

    Reacting to the 2015/2016 Premier League draws done in Kaduna yesterday, the Media Officer of Akwa United, Uwem Ekoh told SportingLife that their display at the Super Four has given them reasons for optimism and that they are sure that Sunshine Stars won’t get the better of them in Akure on February 21.

    Ekoh disclosed that they would returning back to Uyo with their heads held high knowing full well that they have done their best in Kaduna and would improve on it when the second leg of the Super Four hots up in Uyo with the determination to secure enough points to win the tournament.

    “Our performance in Kaduna is an eye opener and we are going back home to polish what we have done here. We won’t be carried away in Uyo during the second leg of the Super Four and we are confident that we are going to lift the Super Four trophy at home.

    “Sunshine Stars are a tough side but with our current form, they will find it hard to beat us. We are very positive that we are going to beat them in Akure, Ekoh told SportingLife.

    Akwa United are campaigning in the CAF Confederation Cup and will face Vital Club of Republic of Congo in the preliminary round next month.