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Tag Akwa United

  • Mar, Wed, 2020
Sport

NPFL: Nasarawa United draw goalless with Akwa United

NPFL
By Olukayode Babalola
Lafia, March 18, 2020 (NAN) Nasarawa United Football Club on Wednesday in Lafia drew goalless with visiting Akwa United FC of Uyo.

The draw was in a 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 25 fixture.

It was the first match the hosts were playing at their home ground Lafia Township Stadium since March 8 when Chineme Martins, one of their players, slumped and died on the pitch.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nasarawa state government fulfilled its promise by making available adequate medical equipment and personnel for the match.

Two well-equipped ambulance from the state government and one from the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) were on ground to take care of any medical eventualities.

NAN reports that 11 medical personnel were also on ground —- four from Nasarawa United, two from Akwa United and five from the NRCS —- with stretchers and a well-equipped clinic.

In spite of the draw, spectators were entertained by efforts made by both teams to score.

Some spectators were even amused when in the 25th minute of the game, the centre referee called for a break for both teams to refresh themselves for five minutes before play resumed.

NAN reports that all efforts to score by both teams in the second half also proved abortive as the defence lines of both teams stood their ground till the final whistle was blown.

Kennedy Boboye, Head Coach of Akwa United, praised his players for adhering to plan.

He rued the chances they missed, which could have given them a memorable away victory.

“We lost it in Katsina and we agreed and decided to come here to get the three points. But it didn’t work the way we wanted.

“Nevertheless, I am impressed with the performance of my team. Our plan now is to go back and win our home matches.

“I am also impressed with the rate at which teams are picking points away and I hope it is maintained because, in the long run, it will be good for the NPFL,” Boboye said.

Earlier, before the match was played, a delegation from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) paid a condolence visit to Gov. Abdullahi Sule.

The visit was to commiserate with him over the death of the late Nasarawa United player.

The delegation was led by Ibrahim Gusau, a member of the NFF Executive Committee, who represented Amaju Pinnick, the NFF president.(NAN)
OB/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

  • Feb, Sun, 2020
Sport

NPFL: Akwa United end Rangers’ unbeaten run with 2-1 win in Enugu

Rangers
By  Nicholas Obisike
Enugu, Feb. 16, 2020 (NAN) Rangers International Football Club of Enugu on Sunday had their six-match unbeaten run halted by visiting Akwa United FC of Uyo after a 2-1 defeat at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

The visitors took the first initiative with the first goal in the 13th minute through Ndifreke Effiong as the visitors took the game to their hosts.

But their lead lasted until the 56th minute when Kenechukwu Agu equalised for the Flying Antelopes.

Akarandut Orok however restored the lead for Akwa United in the 72nd minute, which they held on to until the final whistle.

Speaking after the match, Orok said his team prepared well for the match.

“I feel great scoring the winning goal, because it is always painful to score and your team lose at the end.

“But scoring one of the goals that gave us victory today is what matters a lot and I hope to continue scoring for my team.

“We knew that it was going to be tough as we played a draw with them at home. So, we raised our game today,” he said.

Orok said he and his teammates took it as a challenge after they lost four points at home in their last two matches.

“The players agreed to fight for points at away to make up for the points lost at home and thank God we got it right in Enugu against one of the toughest teams.

“It was a good win for us as it will push us up on the NPFL table and we will keep fighting till the end,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the win lifted Akwa United to the fourth position on the log after 32 points from 21 matches.

Rangers dropped to the 17th position with 20 points after 16 matches.(NAN)

NUO/DOE/OLAL

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(Edited by Dianabasi Effiong and Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

NPFL: Akwa United continue impressive unbeaten run as Katsina United stun hosts Lobi Stars

Review
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, March 3, 2019 (NAN) Akwa United Football Club of Uyo on Sunday extended their unbeaten run in the 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) to six games.

This was after they were held to a 2-2 draw by hosts Gombe United in a rescheduled fixture at the Pantami Stadium.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a total of five matches were played on Sunday in the league, with three in Group A and two in Group B.

Musa Usman gave the home team the lead from a long range effort four minutes before the half hour mark.

Substitute Emmanuel Charles restored parity for the visitors 12 minutes later when he nodded the ball home from a tight angle.

Akwa United took the lead for the first time in the game when Mfon Udoh headed the ball home six minutes from time.

Udoh has now scored seven goals for the “Promise Keepers’’ in 10 league outings this season.

Gombe United however rallied back to earn a share of the spoils with Usman Musa converting from the penalty kick spot two minutes from time.

The result meant Akwa United, with 15 points from nine games, moved a step up from fourth to third position on the NPFL Group B table.

Gombe United, still languishing at the bottom of the table, maintained their 11th spot.

Kada City also defeated visiting Yobe Desert Stars of Damaturu 2-1 in another rescheduled game in Kaduna.

Kabiru Sanusi gave Kada City the lead with a firm header from close range in the 18th minute.

Philip Auta levelled scores for Yobe Desert Stars with a well-placed header to a delightful cross from Chinedu Solomon three minutes after the break.

Kabir Sarki got the winner for the hosts from a header two minutes before the end of the game.

The Kaduna-based clubside leap-frogged from the bottom of the table to 10th position, while Yobe Desert Stars replaced them at the bottom of the NPFL Group B log.

At the Gateway International Stadium in Sagamu, Remo Stars defeated hard-fighting Wikki Tourists of Bauchi 2-1.

Lanre Runsewe put Remo Stars ahead in the 20th minute after he was set up by Dare Sokunbi.

Isa Gata equalised for Wikki Tourists nine minutes before the break, when he nodded home Ahmed Jimoh’s cross.

Remo Stars captain Victor Mbaoma netted the winning goal for his side from the penalty kick spot a minute before time.

The result saw Remo Stars move to the 10th spot from the bottom of the table, while Wikki Tourists maintained their eighth position on the 12-club NPFL Group A log.

In Makurdi, champions Lobi Stars were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Katsina United.

Martins Usule volleyed home in the 12th minute to hand Kastina United the lead in the keenly-contested encounter.

The hosts levelled scores from the penalty kick spot in the 68th minute, awarded after substitute Stephen Micheal was fouled in the box.

The result saw Katsina United with nine points from six games played, and they moved a step from eighth to seventh.

Lobi Stars who have played only four games so far due to their involvement in continental club competition moved a step to the 11th spot on the Group A log.

Bendel Insurance and former champions Enyimba International Football Club of Aba battled to a 0-0 draw at the University of Benin Sports Complex.

Enyimba, with 14 points from nine games played, maintained their second spot on the NPFL Group A log.

The Benin-based Insurance, with eight points from eight games, moved a step upwards from 10th to ninth position.(NAN)
VO/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

2018/2019 NPFL: Akwa United hold hosts Kano Pillars

League

By Mohammed Nur Tijani‎

Kano, Jan. 20, 2019 (NAN) Hosts ‎Kano Pillars Football Club and Akwa United FC of Uyo on Sunday drew 1-1  in a Group B Match Day 3 fixture in the 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).‎

The visiting Akwa United side surprised the hosts with good resilience from the first to the last blast of the whistle during the match played at the Sani Abacha Stadium.

‎‎The visitors opened scoring in the 19th minute when Ndifere Effiong scored with a brilliant effort.

Kano Pillars fought back and in the 41st minute Chris Madaki scored with a header after receiving a cross from Ali Malam.

All efforts by the home side to score more goals were abortive as Akwa United players tenaciously defended.
‎
Both teams’ coaches, Rafael Everton of Akwa United and Kabiru Baleria of Kano Pillars, however refused to speak to newsmen immediately ‎after the match.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Chris Madaki of Kano Pillars was voted Man of the Match.

The award was from members of the Kano State Chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) at the stadium.

Kano Pillars which have four points from three matches ‎will now travel to Gombe to face Gombe United on Wednesday in a Match day 4 fixture.(NAN)
MNT/JPE/OLAL
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(Edited by Joseph Edeh and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

CAF Confederation Cup: Akwa United win but crash out on away goals rule

CAF
By Isaiah Eka
Uyo, April 18, 2018 (NAN) Akwa United Football Club of Uyo on Wednesday crashed out of the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup competition on a 3-3 aggregate, in spite of beating El Hilal of Sudan 3-1.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2017 AITEO Cup winners had lost 0-2 in the first leg tie of the play-off round in Omdurman on April 8.

They had needed to win 3-0 or more to turn the tide, but the Sudanese team stunned them by scoring first in the first half in Uyo.

Michael Ibe then went on to score a hat-trick for the hosts in the match played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, but it proved not to be enough.

Akwa United’s coach Abdul Makaiba later told NAN that his boys played wonderfully in spite of failing to advance in the competition.

“My boys played wonderfully, if not for the goal scored by the Sudanese. But it is part of the game. We got a lot of chances, but we were able to score only three goals.

“We are out of it but we are not disgraced. If we had scored one goal in Sudan we would have been through,’’ he said.

NAN reports that Akwa United had qualified for the second round of 16 by beating Al-Ittihad of Libya 4-3 on aggregate.

They had earlier in the preliminary stage of the competition beaten the Hawks of Gambia 3-2 aggregate.(NAN)
IE/DOE/OLAL
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(Edited by Dianabasi Effiong and Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

CAF Confederation Cup:  Akwa United coach says Hawks’ early goal destabilised his team

NAN-S-14
Defeat
By Isaiah Eka
Uyo, Feb. 11, 2018 (NAN) Coach Abdu Maikaba of Akwa United Football Club of Uyo says his players were disoriented psychologically following the 11th minute goal scored by the visiting Hawks FC of Banjul on Sunday.

Maikaba, while fielding questions from sports journalists during a post-match briefing, lamented that his boys were put under pressure even though he presented the best of his team.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Uyo-based team lost 1-2 to the visiting team in the preliminary round of the 2018 Confederation Cup at the Akpabio International Stadium.

The coach said he was not surprised because of his knowledge of the kind of football played in Gambia.

“I treated them with respect. I know that they are a very good side, they play compact football, and they are always behind the ball.

“They are a highly tactical side, and we have learnt a very big lesson. We have to be mentally strong to meet them in the return leg in the Gambia,” Maikaba said.

The coach expressed optimism that his team can win in the away match in Gambia, promising to work hard to qualify in the CAF campaign.

Speaking in the same vein, the Akwa United FC captain, Ariwachukwu Emmanuel, said his team lost to the Hawks FC of Banjul gallantly.

Emmanuel said that the visiting team was very fortunate to beat his team at its home in Uyo.

“Football is luck. We had this hard luck today. I believe in fate, we can still win the away match in Gambia,” Emmanuel said.

His counterpart from Hawks FC of Banjul, Omar Sarr, attributed his team’s victory over Akwa United FC to luck.

Sarr, however said that though they were happy beating Akwa United FC at home, the competition was not yet over.

The Hawks FC coach, Ansumana Fatty, represented by the team manager, Kebba Njie, described Akwa United FC as a great team.

The coach said the host team had created a lot of chances but could not score because Hawks FC had a very good goalkeeper.

He said his team goalkeeper, Yankuba Colley, was the man of the match, having saved several shots from the host team.

“The game is not yet over. We will work hard and improve on our team when we get home.

“We’ve already taken the tie’s advantage. We will have home advantage, but winning just away doesn’t mean it is over. Akwa United FC is a tactical team.

“We will work harder and train well to get to the next stage,” Fatty said.

He thanked the host team Akwa United FC of Uyo for its hospitality towards his team and the officials.(NAN)
IE/BB/OLAL
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(Edited by Bassey Bassey and Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Akwa United beat Niger Tornadoes 3-2 on penalty kicks to claim AITEO Cup

NAN-S-1
Cup
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Oct. 16, 2017 (NAN) Akwa United Football Club of Uyo on Sunday in Lagos defeated Niger Tornadoes FC 3-2 on penalty kicks to win the maiden edition of the AITEO Cup competition.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akwa United won the former Federation Cup competition after the pulsating encounter at the Agege Stadium ended goalless at full time.

The Uyo side had won the Federation Cup in 2015 and reclaimed Nigeria’s oldest and biggest domestic competition after the ensuing penalty shootout went into sudden death

Scoreline after five penalty kicks each side was 2-2, with each side missing three kicks each.

But, after Niger Tornadoes missed their opening kick in the sudden death phase, Gabriel Okechukwu put an end to it all by being perfect with a left foot shot down the middle.

The competition’s final match and colourful closing ceremony final was graced by eminent personalities, including Governors Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom and Abubakar Bello of Niger.

Also present at the match were CAF President Ahmad, CAF Vice Presidents Kwesi Nyantakyi and Omari Selemani, CAF Emergency Committee members Souleman Waberi and Amaju Pinnick.

NAN reports that victory in the match handed Akwa United the ticket to represent Nigeria in the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup competition.

Akwa United also swept the individual honours as goalkeeper Ojo Olorunleke won both the Best Goalkeeper and Most Valuable Player awards, while coach Abdul Maikaba was adjudged the Best Coach.

Akwa United forward Christian Pyagbara also claimed the Top Scorer award with his seven goals in this year’s competition.(NAN)
VO/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Akwa‎ United beat hosts Kano Pillars

NAN-S-5
League
Kano, April 9, 2017 (NAN) Akwa United ‎Football Club of Uyo on Sunday in Kano beat hosts Kano Pillars 1-0, with Christian Pyagbara’s first half strike making the difference.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match was a week 18 fixture of the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).‎‎

The match which was played at the Sani Abacha Stadium was watched by a large number of spectators.

Akwa United dominated the match with better tactical play, and scored in the 20th minute from a shot within the penalty area striker Pyagbara.‎

At the end of the match, Akwa United’s Technical Adviser, Abdullahi Maikaba, said he was elated by his team’s brilliant performance.

“I am happy with the result and commend my players for their fighting spirit,” he said.

Efforts to get the reaction of his Kano Pillars’ counterpart, Kadiri Ikhana, were unsuccessful however.‎

NAN reports that some of the home team fans were unhappy with the game’s outcome.

Some of them furiously accosted Ikhana at the end of the match, harassing him as he made to leave the pitch.‎

Ikhana was however led out of the pitch by some other fans, who shielded him from being physically assaulted by the irate fans.‎(NAN)
MNT/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)