The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Akwa Utd

  • Edo tasks Akwa Utd to win Cup tie

    Edo tasks Akwa Utd to win Cup tie

    Recuperating Akwa United defender, Namso Edo has charged his teammates to win for him at Congolese side Vita Club Mokanda.

    The Promise Keepers’ strongman picked up a muscle tear against Nasarawa United in the Kaduna’s leg of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super 4 tournament.

    The Federation Cup and NPFL Super 4 winners will be the guests of the Central African side in CAF Confederation Cup first leg clash today in Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo.

    Edo charged his side to go for a comfortable result that will ease their work load in the reverse fixture in Nigeria.

    “I did not travel with my teammates for the clash against Vita Club Mokanda in Congo. The coach preferred me to rest to avoid complication on the thigh injury so that I will be 100% fit for the reverse fixture.

    “I wish the side well against the Congolese and I personally charged my teammates to shine in my absence and win for me. Most of the players have been waiting for this wonderful opportunity for quite some time, so they must make the chance count positively.

    “Even if they don’t record an outright win or draw they must not concede goals but score to make the second leg work easier. Continental competition is quite different from domestic duty so they must come back with a result that will help usto excel in the competition,” said Edo to supersport.com.

    Edo is already training and will be fit for the reverse fixture in a fortnight at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

  • Ibeh tips Akwa Utd for Super Four crown

    Ibeh tips Akwa Utd for Super Four crown

    Akwa United midfielder, Michael Ibeh has told SportingLife that he is more than convinced that the Promise Keepers will improve better than they did during the first leg of the Glo LMC Super Four when the second leg starts in Uyo on Monday.

    The Uyo side are second on the log after the first leg of hostilities in Kaduna with four points ahead of Enyimba(whom they pipped to the second spot because of better head to head) and Warri Wolves who have four and three points respectively.

    Ibeh, who played for Abia Warriors last season, told SportingLife that he was pleased with his outing during the Super Four in Kaduna while adding that he is hoping to better his performance before the club’s fans in Uyo where he is targeting his first goal for the Promise Keepers.

    “We had a nice tournament in Kaduna and even though we lost the first game against Warri Wolves everyone could testify that we were better and we improved in the game with Enyimba and Nasarawa United where we picked four points.

    “We are playing the second leg before our fans and so we are expecting their support which will lead us to victory. I am expecting my first goal during the second leg of the Super Four too,”  said Ibeh, who was very close to joining Turkish side, Fenerbahce few seasons ago.

  • Warri Wolves to unleash Osanga, Ajiboye against Akwa Utd

    Warri Wolves to unleash Osanga, Ajiboye against Akwa Utd

    • Deny depleted team report

    Warri Wolves have promised to parade their best squad when they face Akwa United in today’s Super Four clash in Kaduna.

    The team’s media officer, Azu Azuka disclosed to SportingLife that his side will use the tournament to test some of their new signing.

    Some of the new players expected in the lineup today are goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye, King Osanga as well as Benard Okorowanta.

    He said the team came to Kaduna with 27 players and 12 officials.

    “We arrived here in Kaduna today (Tuesday). We have 27 players and 12 officials. Actually, half of the players we brought are new players. We have King Osanga here, Dele Ajiboye and others. We want to use our new players to prosecute this tournament so that we can have complete squad before the CAF Champions League,” Azuka informed SportingLife.

    “This is a testing ground for us; we want a situation where all the players would be used so as to give coaches opportunity to know the areas where they need to work on.

    “There is understanding in the team already because we have played some friendly matches at our closed camping at Kwale before coming to Kaduna. So this is final stage of our preparation. There is cohesion; the team is blending match by match and just to perfect it with the Super Four.”

    Azuka also denied media reports that Warri Wolves are depleted.

    He insisted that majority of their old players are still with the team.

    “We need to show that all those negative reports associated with Warri wolves are not true. We still have all our reliable old players with us.  Michael Egbeta is here with us, Onamado is here, Joseph Eyimofe, all of them are here.

    “We have played Akwa United before and we know how to handle them. Give or take Akwa Unitd won’t be difficult for us,” he said.

  • TWO-YEAR AKWA UTD DEAL: Ubong Ekpai admits huge expectations

    TWO-YEAR AKWA UTD DEAL: Ubong Ekpai admits huge expectations

    Ubong Ekpai has confirmed his return to former club ,Akwa United ahead of the new NPFL season after two years with former league champions, Kano Pillars. Ekpai, who was set for a move abroad, made a sensational u-turn to pen a two-year contract with the club he left under acrimonious circumstance two years ago citing a change of guard at the club as his motivation.

    The attacker, who has earned a couple of national team call ups, admitted he was  offered more than he earned at Pillars. Akwa United will make their debut on the continent in the CAF Confederation Cup next season and the player said he is aware of the responsibility on his shoulder to deliver for the club.

    “I have agreed a deal with Akwa United and will return to the club for the new season.

    “One of the motivations for moving back was because they changed the club chairman; I didn’t feel appreciated under the previous board which was one of the reasons for leaving last time. But I am back now and earning more than I did at Pillars and I know the expectation is higher.”

  • Wage demands stop Udoh’s Akpan’s Akwa Utd move

    Wage demands stop Udoh’s Akpan’s Akwa Utd move

    Mfon Udoh will remain with Enyimba FC for at least another season if he doesn’t seal a move abroad after his dream of reuniting with his former club, Akwa United couldn’t materialise.

    The head coach of Akwa United, Maurice Cooreman told SportingLife that the Promise Keepers made bold attempt to re-sign the striker but Enyimba convinced him to stay as he is needed for their CAF Champions League campaign.

    He hinted that Akwa United were scared away by huge demands from the People’s Elephants but were not frustrated because they knew the club plan to keep the player in Aba for their own crucial assignments.

    Cooreman also offered explanations on the situation of former junior international goalkeeper, Bassey Akpan stating that there are doubts if his propose switch would happen with the inflated demands of his representatives before a deal is struck.

    He said Akwa United would like to add the player to the few that have joined the club but that his excessive demand is the only hindrance that has made the Uyo side to pull the plug on his transfer.

    “I want to say that Mfon Udoh is not joining Akwa United because Enyimba have done everything possible to keep him for their continental assault. They placed a high fee on him that has made him out of reach from us.

    “Bassey’s situation is almost similar with his manager asking for too much from us,” Cooreman told SportingLife.

  • Edo keeps Akwa Utd waiting

    Edo keeps Akwa Utd waiting

    Akwa United defender, Namso Edo has said he is not in a hurry to renew his contract with the 2015 Federation Cup winners.

    The Promise Keepers have invited some of the retained players to come forward to renew their contracts with the side ahead of the new league season and campaign at the continent.

    Already the new head coach, Maurice Cooreman is holding daily training session with the players preparatory for its Caf Confederation Cup match day 1 clash against the Congolese side, Vita Club Mokanda in the second week of February in Uyo.

    Edo said it’s necessary he gets a final word from his agent on the proposed foreign club offer before deciding whether or not to renew his contract with the side.

    “Akwa United have called me severally to come forward to renegotiate my contract for possible renewal but I’m yet to respond to the request as I want to hear from my agent before I decide on my future with the side.

    “I have resumed with them and have been training with the other teammates ahead of the new league season.

    “However, my agent said he is working out something for me that will see me play outside the country.

    “I want to wait a bit to here and know the final outcome of the move before I could commit myself to Akwa United or any other club.

    “I pray the agent works out something for me as it’s my desire and dream to continue my football career outside the nation’s shores.

    “However, I hope to answer Akwa United very soon on the contract renewal request,” said the side leading top scorer in the out gone season to supersport.com.

    Akwa United winners of the 2015 Federation Cup will represent the country together with Nasarawa United in the Caf Confederation Cup competition.

  • AFTERMATH OF HISTORIC CUP TRIUMPH : Akwa Utd yet to get cash, houses

    AFTERMATH OF HISTORIC CUP TRIUMPH : Akwa Utd yet to get cash, houses

    A month after they won the Federation Cup, Akwa United players are yet to get the reward of a house and N2 million  each promised by  Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel.

    Akwa beat Lobi Stars 2-1 to win the 2015 Federation Cup in the final played at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos on November 21.

    Players of the team revealed that they are yet to get the N2 million  and house  promised each of them by the governor as a reward for clinching a first-ever.

    “Up till now we haven’t been given the house and the money the governor promised us for winning the Federation Cup,” lamented one of the players.

    “Our families and friends don’t believe us that we are yet to get the largesse as they see us as liars. We are pleading with the governor to fulfill the promises and make us smile.”

    Another player said the promises raised their hopes, but they are down as these pledges have not yet been redeemed.

    “The promise of N2 million  and house made us happy and we are seriously waiting to have them but it’s taken long than expected and our morale is down now,” he admitted.

    “We were told like two weeks back that it is being processed. It’s a month now that we won the trophy and  we haven’t got the house and the money yet, we are pleading to the governor to help us  fulfill his promise so as to have a very nice Christmas and New Year celebration,” urged another worried player.

    It was also gathered that the players were only paid half salary for the month of November with an excuse from the management that they do not have money to pay full salary.

  • Maurice Cooreman: Akwa Utd will get it right

    Maurice Cooreman: Akwa Utd will get it right

    Supersport.com: Congrats coach on your latest appointment.

    Maurice Cooreman: Thank you.

    Why did you leave Ikorodu United after guiding them to a place in the top-flight.

    I experienced some problems there. I tried to talk to the owner of the club who is a very big man and always travelling all over the world.

    He handed the running of the club to another individual who was acting as chairman. The new chairman knew nothing about football and made a lot of trouble for me so I decided to leave.

    My younger brother died in Belgium. I wanted to go back briefly but he would not let me go. I had so many problems to deal with at the club.

    What are your earliest impressions of Akwa United?

    The fact that the club is going to play in the CAF Confederation Cup was an attractive factor to be honest. I have assessed the players right now and we have had a few training sessions.

    I will have a meeting with the Commissioner for Sports in Akwa Ibom State and Paul Bassey (an official of the club) and we will proceed from there.

    Is the club strong enough to win the CAF Confederation Cup in 2016?

    First I want to congratulate the club for winning the Federation (Nigerian) Cup but succeeding on the continent is another thing all together.

    Having spent some time here, I can tell you that there are still several things to be  sorted out. Hopefully, we will get it right before the season commences.

    You have been accused of being a coach that specialises in short-term projects at clubs. Will this latest project in Uyo be different?

    We have to wait and see. I have signed a two-year contract with the club. At the end of the contract, we will see.

  • Baraje: Akwa Utd did not treat me as a professional

    Baraje: Akwa Utd did not treat me as a professional

    Akwa United erstwhile head coach, Zachary Baraje has berated the decision of the Promise Keepers’ management led by Chairman, Akparawa Nse Ubeh for not contacting him that his services were not needed before announcing the appointment of Belgian Maurice Cooreman as his replacement.

    Baraje said there was nothing wrong for Akwa United to appoint a new coach after the expiration of his season long contract with the club at the end of the Federation Cup final in Lagos on November 22nd which he led the team to win but that the chairman ought to have called him to tell him officially that his contract won’t be extended.

    He said that he has no grudge with Akwa United and that he enjoyed the single season he signed with them but that with his over 30 years experience as a coach he ought to have been treated better after leading the club to lift the Federation Cup and also maintaining their topflight status at the end of last season.

    “I don’t want words with the chairman but what I know is that I have been coaching for over 30 years now but he has only stayed for six months and he should have known that he ought to have done better with the way he approached my situation.

    “I am not saying that I want to remain as coach of Akwa United by all costs but I should have been communicated first that my services are not needed before naming a new coach. I don’t have any problem with that and I have moved on and I’m hoping for the best,” Baraje told SportingLife.

    Baraje said he wishes the club best in the CAF Confederation Cup quest and that he is presently studying the offers before him from other clubs to see the possibility of staying on in the elite division as coach.

  • Akwa Utd to make statement on head coach soon

    Akwa Utd to make statement on head coach soon

    Akwa United have confirmed to SportingLife that the club would make their position known on the make up of the Promise Keepers’ technical crew ahead of next season where they will be competing in three different competitions.

    The Uyo side captured the 2015 Federation Cup title last month at the expense of Lobi Stars which made them qualify for the 2016 CAF Confederation Cup and they will also compete on the domestic front in the league and Federation Cup.

    Immediately after the team lifted the 2015 Federation Cup crown in Lagos so many things have been said and written about the set up of the team’s technical crew with the Uyo side being linked with several top coaches including Belgian, Maurice Cooreman.

    The incumbent coach of the team, Zachary Baraje only signed a season contract which terminated after the Federation Cup final and nothing has been said whether his contract would be renewed or not.

    The Media Officer of the club, Uwem Ekoh told SportingLife that no decision has been taken regarding the team’s technical crew and that very soon the management would meet to decide on the best options for the club with the team getting more matches to play next year.

    He said the club has not appointed anybody or group of persons and that at the right time a decision would be made in the best interest of the club.