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Tag: Akwa Utd

  • CAF Confederation Cup: Akwa Utd will shock doubters

    CAF Confederation Cup: Akwa Utd will shock doubters

    Akwa United will fly Nigeria’s flag on the continent next season; as one of two NPFL clubs, in the CAF Confederation Cup.

    Along with Nasarawa United, the Uyo-based side will enter the competition as debutants and concerns have been expressed about whether these teams stand in good stead to give quality representation at that level.

    Yet, Captain of Nigeria’s Federation Cup winner, Otobong Effiong, insists Akwa are out to defy their underdog status and bring glory to the country despite their poor showing in the NPFL last season.

    “We are taking the competition serious and though we are debutants, Akwa United will certainly give a good account. We’re looking forward to it and preparing towards it to so everybody can expect that We won’t play like novices.’

    “We’ll make the fans, state and Nigeria very proud with our performance at the CAF Confederation Cup.’

  • Federation Cup triumph: Akwa Utd players get N2m each

    Federation Cup triumph: Akwa Utd players get N2m each

    • House gifts too   • Two top officials of the club sidelined

    Akwa Ibom government has rewarded the Akwa United team that won the 2015 Federation Cup after all the players of the side and six officials of the Promise Keepers were given N2m  and a house each at a yet to be disclosed location in the state.

    The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel made this announcement on Monday night in Uyo during the grand reception held for the team after their heroics at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on November 22, which fetched them the 2016 CAF Confederation Cup ticket.

    SportingLife ,however, gathered that two top officials of the club including the Media Officer, Uwem Ekoh was mistakenly omitted from the largesse but that efforts are presently being intensified to ensure that he and the other unnamed officials are not sidelined completely.

    Akwa United beat Lobi Stars 2-1 in Lagos to lift the state’s first major trophy since its inception.

  • Akwa Utd reception holds today in Uyo

    Akwa Utd reception holds today in Uyo

    The grand reception slated for last weekend to honour the 2015 Federation Cup winners, Akwa United by the Akwa Ibom State government will now hold tonight in Uyo, SportingLife has been told.

    The Promise Keepers defeated Lobi Stars 2-1 in the final of the Federation Cup two weeks ago in their maiden appearance in the final and Akwa Ibom State Governor Emmanuel Udom has promised to properly host the team for their heroic performance at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

    The Media Officer of the club, Uwem Ekoh told SportingLife that they were informed late that the programme has been shifted to Monday(today).

    Akwa United also avoided relegation to the lower league by the whiskers.

  • Akwa Utd’ll beat Lobi-Baraje

    Akwa Utd’ll beat Lobi-Baraje

    Zachary Baraje has not minced words about his ambition of becoming the first manager to guide Akwa United to their first major domestic title in Nigeria.

    The Promise Keepers are playing in their first-ever final at the Teslim Balogun Stadium and they go up against Lobi Stars, who are regarded as favourites considering that they have won the Cup competition in the past.

    “This team is capable of making history. The players, officials, management and fans have played their part in making sure that we reach this stage of the competition and it is now time for us to write our names in history as the first set of players and coaches to win this competition for the first time.

    “There is no doubt that a Cup final will be tough and we know that Lobi Stars will not make it easier for us just as we are hungry to win this trophy for the first time. I know the Lobi team, as we have played them twice this season and more recently in the last game of the league season. But I am very confident we will win this,” Baraje told supersport.com.

    However, the Akwa United head coach acknowledged that there is also the chance of qualifying for the 2016 CAF Confederation Cup.

    “We know that apart from winning the Federation Cup that we stand to play in the CAF Confederation Cup next season. And that will be a very big achievement for the club to play on the continent for the first. So the players are all aware of this and are ready to give their best to make that happen,” he said to supersport.com.

    The last time Akwa United came close to winning Federation Cup was two years ago when they reached the last four. But they were stopped in their tracks by Warri Wolves.

  • Gov Emmanuel charges Akwa Utd FC to go for victory

    Gov Emmanuel charges Akwa Utd FC to go for victory

    Akwa Ibom State Government, in partnership with Julius Berger, has concluded plans to establish Sports Academy in the state with coaches from Germany and other countries of the world to develop talents in the game of football and other sporting activities.

    Governor Udom Emmanuel dropped the hint yesterday during an interaction with team managers and players of the  state – owned Akwa United Football Club at the Government House, Uyo.

    He commended the technical crew and the players for being able to make it to the final of the tournament and charged them to strive with all their passion to come top in the Federation Cup.

    Governor Emmanuel said he had approved the release of N100 million for the settlement of outstanding financial commitments of the club and informed them that they have all it takes to make history stressing that “once the passion is right, nothing is impossible”.

    The Governor charged them to strategize and play as a team to clinch the trophy, adding that as a team, every individual in the round leather game is important and that they should remain focused in their aspirations.

    “Ninety minutes of the game can change your life as your performance in the tournament would expose you to foreign clubs and stardom,” the Governor advised.

    Governor Emmanuel described footballers as one of the fastest growing income earners in the world and said that his administration will stop at nothing to equip talents and expose them to the world market. This, he explained, will justify the vision of establishing an international stadium in the state.

    He used the occasion to announce plans to establish ten sports centres in the state to further boost sports development and aid in talent hunt,  adding that facilities in the Uyo Township Stadium would be upgraded for the hosting of local matches and training of the players. He particularly congratulated two  indigenes of the state, Edidiong Essien and Akpan Udoh, who were part of the Golden Eaglets that won the just concluded 2015 FIFA World Cup in Chile.

    Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Monday Uko, expressed appreciation to the Governor for making funds readily available to clear up outstanding financial commitment and assured that the team is in high spirits to bring the trophy home.

    He thanked the Governor for his sports friendly disposition and noted that it is a thing of pride for the team to attend the feat of escaping relegation and playing up to the final in the Federation Cup tournament.

    Also, the captain of the team, Otobong Effiong, expressed appreciation to the Governor for the fatherly advice and improvements on their welfare and pledged to clinch the coveted trophy to the state.

     

  • Akwa Utd, Lobi Stars confident

    Akwa Utd, Lobi Stars confident

    Akwa United football club have been given an executive order by the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel Udom, to do everything possible, to bring the Federation Cup trophy home, when they face Lobi Stars on Sunday in the final of the event at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

    The Governor did not mince words when he expressly ordered the players of the club to go to Lagos and beat Lobi Stars in the finals of the 2015 tournament, as he hosted the players to a breakfast meeting on Wednesday at the Government house, in Uyo.

    “I am coming for the game against Lobi Stars in Lagos. I want you to go and bring back the trophy. The state is waiting patiently for the trophy. I know you have a good team that can make all of us in Akwa Ibom smile. This is the first time a club from the state will qualify for the final of the Federation Cup and I want you to make it count this time,” Udom said.

    Meanwhile, Lobi Stars Captain, Terna Ikpeen has also assured their fans that the team will beat Akwa United when they clash.

    Ikpeen insists that they have a better team and will emerge Champions of the competition this year.

    “We have a good team. We are ready for this match. We have prepared for the game, and we are going to triumph on Sunday. The motivation is there for us and everything is set for us to become champions.”

  • Relegation battle: Akwa Utd will survive – Yusuf

    Relegation battle: Akwa Utd will survive – Yusuf

    The battle for clubs to keep their status intact in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has stretched to the very last day.

    Though three clubs, FC Taraba, Bayelsa United and Kwara United have booked relegation tickets but there’s still a slot for one more club and the final day drama will see Sharks FC, Dolphins, Rangers Int’l, Lobi Stars and Akwa United all putting in their very best to avoid the drop.

    While Dolphins, Sharks and Lobi Stars are on the road in their last day tie, both Rangers Int’l and Akwa United will be at home.

    Akwa United midfielder, Adio Yusuf has maintained that he and his team mates are focused on getting a win over Lobi Stars.

    “It’s a tough situation but we are up to the task,” Yusuf told SupportTheNPFL.com.

    “Akwa United won’t go down. We seem to have a slim advantage because we won’t be traveling, we shall host Lobi Stars at home and we hope to get a good result. Our closet rivals, Dolphins and Sharks will be playing on the road which we all know it’s even tough playing without your fans cheering you on.”

    Rangers Int’l currently sit in the 14th position on the log with 46 points and will host Bayelsa United who are going down. Representatives of Sharks (45 points), Dolphins FC (44 points) and Akwa United (44 points) will follow proceedings in Ibadan where Dolphins will face 3SC in Umuahia where Sharks will visit Abia Warriors as result from those venues may change the final standings.

  • Warri Wolves beats Akwa Utd .Closes in on Enyimba

    Warri Wolves beats Akwa Utd .Closes in on Enyimba

    Warri Wolves have closed within three points of Nigeria league leaders Enyimba after they thrashed Akwa United 3-0 in a rescheduled game Thursday morning.

    Wolves now have 59 points from 34 matches, just three points shy of leaders Enyimba with four matches to the end of the season.

    The match between hosts Wolves and Akwa was re-arranged for Thursday after heavy rain rendered the pitch at the Warri City Stadium unplayable.

    Joseph Osadiaye smashed a hat-trick within 68 minutes against his former club.

    He opened scoring after 13 minutes off a corner by Ikechukwu Igbenegbu, before he completed his brace in the 51st minute courtesy of another assist by Ibenegbu.

    His third goal was a superb curler from outside the box.

    Akwa were reduced to 10 men in the 53rd minute when Konnou Paterne was sent off after a second booking.

  • Akwa Utd target top-4 finish

    Akwa Utd target top-4 finish

    Despite an indifferent start to the 2014/2015 Nigeria league, Akwa United chairman, Nse Ubeh has maintained the club are aiming for a top-four finish at the end of the season.

    Ubeh said he is optimistic his youthful side will make up lost ground in the second round of the league.

    “No doubt, Akwa United are not where we are supposed to be on the league table, but I can assure our fans that at the end of the season, we shall be among the best four teams in the league,” he said.

    “Football is such a dynamic sport in which you may start poorly and end on the high or start well and end on the low. We are ready for the top and there is no stopping for us.”

    Ubeh further said, “We are the youngest team in the league and by the time they internalise the teachings of the technical crew, Akwa United will be the toast of Nigerians as we hope to make quality representation on the continental scene.”

    Akwa United are currently placed 13th on the table with 18 points from 16 matches and will welcome champions Kano Pillars FC in a Week 17 league cracker at the ‘Nest of Champions’ in Uyo at the weekend.

  • Akwa Utd to play at Nest of Champions

    Akwa Utd to play at Nest of Champions

    Supersport.com has been informed that Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Akwa United, could start playing their home matches at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo also known as the Nest of Champions.

    Akwa United’s original home ground, the Uyo Township Stadium, was among the nine venues suspended from playing host to NPFL matches by the League Management Company (LMC) which oversees the running of the top flight in Nigeria.

    Chairman of the Uyo club, Nse Ubeh, told supersport.com that the Nest of Champions remains their first alternative option since they have had their stadium suspended from playing host to league games.

    Ubeh revealed that they are considering the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar as another option.

    “The international stadium remains our first option and we are making contacts with the government to conclude on that,” Ubeh said to supersport.com on Tuesday.”For now, I cannot say it is settled but it remains our first option always and then there is the stadium in Calabar which we are also considering.”

    The Uyo Township Stadium was one of the stadia which the LMC knocked off as venue for the NPFL owing to the poor condition of the pitch.

    Supersport.com has learned that Akwa United were given 14 days to carry out repairs on the poor playing surface of their home ground before it can be given the approval to play host to league matches again.

    The Akwa Ibom Stadium and UJ Esuene Stadium are among eight facilities the LMC proposed as alternative grounds for the nine clubs which had their home suspended till repairs are effected.

    Akwa United are expected to play hosts to Kwara United in a league game today.