The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ekpai

  • Ekpai tips Akwa Utd for league title

    The former Promise Keepers winger Ubong Ekpai, currently plying his trade in the Czech First League with the Blue-whites, feels with the impressive results posted by Abdu Maikaba’s men they deserve to win the topflight diadem.

    “I love Akwa United so much and I am very happy that they are doing well,” Ekpai told Goal.

    “I monitor the progress of the club very well regardless of where I am. They didn’t start too well in the beginning but they have improved and I am sure that they will be champions this season.

    “They have a chairman, Paul Bassey who is a professional to the core, he understands the game in all ramifications and it will reflect on the team’s performance.

    “Apart from being a former player, Akwa United have what it takes to be champions this season and I am not in doubt that will make it happen. The people of Akwa Ibom State will be glad and the celebration will go a long way,” he said.

  • Ekpai plays down winner against Brazil

    Ekpai plays down winner against Brazil

    Ubong Ekpai fired the only goal for Nigeria to beat their Brazilian Olympic team counterparts in a friendly early Friday, but the Akwa United striker said there was nothing special about it.

    Ekpai said his fourth minute decisive strike was like any other goal he has scored.

    Rio Olympics hosts Brazil threw everything at Nigeria’s Dream Team VI thereafter, but they defended their early lead till the end of the match.

    “I am very happy to score the goal that won the game for us, I thank God for everything,” he said.

    “It was nothing special about scoring against Brazil, I didn’t feel different about the goal because in every game I play, I believe I can score.”

  • Akwa Utd will return to the Continent, Ekpai vows

    Akwa Utd will return to the Continent, Ekpai vows

    The Promise Keepers will surely be looking forward to live by that name when the season fully takes shape and they keep their word to be in contention for a continental ticket.

    Winger Ubong Ekpai has shot a warning to all who care to listen that they will make another push for a continental spot this season after a disappointing debut appearance.

    Ekpai, who turned villain for as long as the frustration of the ouster to Vita Club Mokanda when he failed to convert a penalty also declared he may be on his way out of the club by the end of the season.

    Meanwhile, Coach of Akwa United, Maurice Cooreman has offered his opposite number at Ikorodu United, Benson Edema, tips that may not only keep the newly promoted side in the top flight but also ensure the coach saves his job.

    Cooreman, whose side decisioned the NPFL debutants 3-0 in a midweek game at the Akwa Ibom International stadium has suggested the Lagos-based team must sharpen their goal scoring skills to stand a chance of halting their free fall in the league.

  • Ekpai plots Sunshine’s fall

    Ekpai plots Sunshine’s fall

    Akwa United talisman, Ubong Ekpai has told SportingLife that the Promise Keepers are not carried away by their latest successes and have arrived Akure with their confidence high that they are going to get a good result against Sunshine Stars on Sunday.

    The Uyo based side have lifted three trophies in barely three months starting with the Federation Cup crown in Lagos in November and the LMC and the NFF Super Cup won in February.

    Ekpai told SportingLife that commencing the league season on a good note is paramount on their scale of preference and that they are relaxed and ready to face Sunshine Stars and see if they are able to get the maximum points or a draw.

    He said Akwa United players have their sights first on the league tie with Sunshine Stars before the weekend CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round second leg tie with Vital Club Mokanda of Congo in Uyo.

  • Ekpai heads back to Akwa Utd

    Ekpai heads back to Akwa Utd

    Ubong Ekpai has confirmed he has quit Kano Pillars to return to Akwa United after he departed his hometown club under a cloud a season ago.

    “I have signed for Akwa United, it’s a two-year contract. I have returned to the club after a change of the management and so I do not expect any problems  now and I hope to deliver,” said the dashing forward.

    Last year, it needed the intervention of the League Management Company (LMC) to ensure Ekpai completed his transfer to Pillars from Akwa United.

    Akwa United will feature in this year’s CAF Confederation and have swung into action to woo back players from Akwa Ibom State for this major international challenge.

  • Rabiu Ali, Ekpai suspended for Enyimba clash

    Rabiu Ali, Ekpai suspended for Enyimba clash

    Champions Kano Pillars will be without skipper Rabiu Ali and Moses Ekpai for today’s epic Nigeria league clash at Enyimba as they are suspended following an accumulation of bookings.

    “Both Rabiu and Ekpai are not available for the match as they each got their second bookings in our last game against Shooting Stars. They are suspended for a match each,” disclosed Pillars spokesman Idris Malikawa.

    Nigeria ‘B’ international midfielder Rabiu has been Pillars most consistent performer this season, while Ekpai was man of the match against 3SC at the weekend and was the match winner in the first round of the league when both teams clashed in Kano.

    However, there could be debuts for Flying Eagles defender Zaharadeen Bello and Emmanuel Olowo.

    Bello, who has usually played in central defence, may be drafted to right fullback for Bala Zakka, who posted a great debut against Shooting Stars, but will miss Wednesday’s encounter because a clause in his transfer stipulated he should not play against his former club Enyimba.

  • Pillars unlucky at Nasarawa, says Ekpai

    Pillars unlucky at Nasarawa, says Ekpai

    Kano Pillars forward Ubong Ekpai told AfricanFootball.com the Nigeria champions were unlucky to lose 2-1 at Nasarawa United on Wednesday.

    “It was a nice game for us, we played very well, but they took their chances. We have our own chances but we could not score goals. Let me just say we were unlucky to lose the game,” Ekpai told AfricanFootball.com

    Igbinoba Esosa was the hero as Nasarawa United bounced back from last weekend’s goalless draw at home to 3SC to beat Pillars in a Week 5 game.

    Nasarawa United now have seven points from five games, while Pillars have six points from three games.

    Esosa scored two first-half goals before Rabiu Ali scored a consolation goal for Pillars.

  • Ogbonnaya, Ekpai make Pillars’ trip to Morocco

    Ogbonnaya, Ekpai make Pillars’ trip to Morocco

    Kano Pillars  left for  Morocco aboard Egypt Air yesterday ahead of Saturday’s CAF Champions League First Round, First Leg tie against hosts, Moghreb Tetouan.

    The Sai Masu Gida players decided to travel early for the encounter so as to acclimatise to the cold weather in the North African country, just as it was exclusively reported by our correspondent on Monday.

    Pillars’ Media Officer, Idris Malikawa told SportingLife that the players and technical crew were told to go first so that the winter chill in Morocco won’t derail their ambitions to move on in the competition.

    He also confirmed that the trio of Gambo Mohammed, Eneji Otekpa and Adamu Murtala were still recuperating from injuries sustained in an armed robbery attack on the Abuja-Lokoja Road on their way to honour their botched league game against Heartland.

    Malikawa confirmed that fit-again Ubong Ekpai and Reuben Ogbonnaya are part of the squad to Morocco, where the Kano side are aiming for a good result before the second leg tie at home on April 4.