Tag: Akwa Utd

Emmanuel Iwu was the hero for Akwa United after he saved a penalty kick and kept a clean sheet in the Promise Keepers’ 3-0 win over Diamond FC in a pre-season friendly match played at the U.J Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Thursday evening.

Akwa United got to Calabar for the final phase of their pre-season activities on  last Sunday  and took their foes, Diamond FC to the cleaners in their first friendly tie  through goals from Cyril Olisema, Chigozie Chilekwu and Anthony Okpotu.

Ekoh revealed that Akwa United would do battle with Police Machine today in their second pre-season friendly tie in Calabar as head coach, Abdu Maikaba continues to tinker with the players he has available for the start of the league season and the Federation Cup next season.

He told Goal: “It was a good win for us against Diamond FC and we are excited about starting the pre-season friendlies with a win. We won’t be carried away by this feat because we have not got to where we have projected for ourselves and we will keep on working harder until we get there.”

Ekoh disclosed that Iwu, who was very impressive in their 3-0 victory over Diamond FC, was adjudged the Man of the Match and that the former Heartland goalkeeper is looking towards having a bright future with the Promise Keepers if he keeps on with his dazzling display.

Akwa United have denounced reports in the media that the players and officials of the Promise Keepers have received the keys to their three bedroom flats promised them by the governor of the state, Udom Emmanuel after their 2015 Federation Cup victory in Lagos.

The Uyo side against all odds won the Federation Cup at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos in 2015 after they defeated Lobi Stars 2-1 in the final and Governor Emmanuel doled out a monetary reward of N2m to each player and a three bedroom flat too.

But the media reported recently that the players and officials of the club have been handed keys to their apartments and the Team Manager of Akwa United, Emmanuel Udoh told SportingLife that no member of the club has collected such and that they have only gone to inspect the buildings which work are still ongoing on.

Udoh told SportingLife: “We have not collected the keys to the flats because the buildings are still under construction. We have only gone to inspect the place but are yet to have them.”

Udoh also stated that the N2m promised to each player has not been paid either.

Two top Ghanaian players have hit the training camp of Nigeria premier league side, Akwa United.

It was gathered that new coach Abdu Maikaba has started recruiting new players to beef up the squad of the 2015 Federation Cup winners.

Akwa United team manager Emmanuel Udoh confirmed the arrival of the Ghanaians.

“Yes, we have two Ghanaians in our camp, one of them is a goalkeeper and the other is a striker from Energy FC and Hilal Sudan FC respectively,”he said.

Akwa United will unveil new technical adviser, Abdu Maikaba on Monday in Uyo to begin the start of his two years contract with the Promise Keepers.

Maikaba replaced sacked Maurice Cooreman and  is expected to make Akwa United among the best three clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) before the end of the season.

The Media Officer of the Uyo team, Uwem Ekoh told SportingLife that the club chairman, Paul Bassey has disclosed that Maikaba’s unveiling would be done on Monday so as to allow him  commence work as the head coach of the team.

Meanwhile, Akwa United players are expected back in training today to commence preparation for the NPFL 2016/2017 season after over 90 per cent of the players have returned back from their break.

Coach Abdu Maikaba has revealed Akwa United is his next club after he was well received by the Nigeria premier league outfit.

Maikaba quit Wikki Tourists, who he led to qualify for next year’s CAF Confederation Cup, to sign a two-year contract with Akwa United.

He is expected to be presented to the public on Wednesday.

“The reception I received from Akwa United clearly showed me this is the place to work. I am looking forward to the new challenge in front of me,” Maikaba said.

“I hope for a good working relationship with Paul Bassey (Akwa United chairman), who has a vast knowledge of the game. It was good when I worked in Bauchi and I have a lot of friends there now,” he said.

“I still enjoy a good working relationship with the management and the players.I assembled a crop of young players who are always eager to learn. I am forever grateful to the fans for their support and the memories of my two seasons there will be with me forever.”

Akwa United defender Ariwa Emmanuel believes finishing in the top half of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) will represent progress for the Promise Keepers this term.

Akwa finished 15th last season, only securing their safety on the final day of the campaign and Ariwa wants a top-half finish to cap off the season.

“Well if the team can finish this season in the first ten then I will applaud the effort because it’s a sign of improvement from the previous season,” Ariwa told Goal.

“Though the performance so far for me this season is still average but there are lots of room for improvement. Fans should expect victory in as much as Rivers United are lucky to be among the league contenders,” he added.

“We are equally aiming to end the season well so personally I think it’ll be a total victory by God’s grace. Akwa United for me should end the season well, better than the previous one.”

Akwa United head coach, Maurice Cooreman and striker Hassan Babangida have exuded confidence that the Promise Keepers would pick more away points before the end of the NPFL season.

The Uyo side will face FC IfeanyiUbah and Nasarawa United on the road in their next two league fixtures but Cooreman who stated that their away matches have been riddled with poor officiating, however, disclosed that they would go to Nnewi and Makurdi with high expectations of picking points if the match officials do not frustrate their efforts.

Babangida, who scored two goals in their 3-1 home win over MFM FC, hinted that he still wants to get as many as 15 goals before the end of the season and that he would strive to help his team get decent results in their double road trips.

Akwa United have prepared a table for two as they welcome out-of-form Mountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM) FC to the Goodswill Akpabio Stadium on Sunday.

The Promise Keepers’ defender Ariwachukwu Emmanuel believes that MFM’s current poor run of form is a huge advantage they are looking to capitalise on.

“We are prepared to take on MFM FC on Sunday,” Ariwachukwu told Goal. Their performance in the second half of this season has been far from impressive and should be a huge advantage to Akwa United.

“Besides we lost 3-0 to them in Lagos and this meeting with MFM FC is definitely pay back time. They haven’t won a match in their last five and they haven’t pick a point in their last two matches away from home.

“We shall look at ways to explore their weakness to our own advantage.”