Akwa United F.C.

Akwa United Football Club is a Nigerian football club based in Uyo. They play in the first division of Nigerian football, the Nigeria Professional Football League. Godswill Akpabio International Stadium is the club's home stadium.

Akwa United
Full nameAkwa United Football Club of Uyo
Nickname(s)The Promise Keepers
Founded1996
GroundGodswill Akpabio Stadium,[1] Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Capacity30,000
OwnerAkwa Ibom State Government
ChairmanPaul Bassey
ManagerKennedy Boboye
LeagueNigeria Professional Football League
4th

History

1996–97: The Genesis

2007–08: First season in the top flight

Promotion, change of name and Jersey colour

First Premier League win

Crowd trouble and rivalry with Enyimba

2008–09: One season, three coaches and relegation

2011–12: Return to Premier League

2012–13 and 2013–14: Last day survival

2014–15: New home ground and First major trophy

New stadium

Federation Cup glory and Continental qualification

2015–16: Continental debut

2017–18: Uninterrupted seventh season in the topflight

The end of the 2017–18 NPFL season marked the club's seven consecutive seasons in the Nigeria top flight since the 2011–12 NPFL

Second appearance on the continent

Akwa United made their second appearance on the continent but were stunned 2–1 by Hawks FC of Gambia, in the first leg of the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup preliminary tie played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Sunday, February 11, 2018.

In the second leg at the Independence Stadium, Bakau on February 21, 2018, Cyril Olisema scored a brace to hand Akwa United a 3–2 aggregate win over the Gambian club and passage to the first round.

Al-Ittihad defeated Akwa United 1–0 in the first round, first leg fixture, only for the Promise Keepers to record the same scoreline in the second leg courtesy of Aniekeme Asuquo's 46th-minute goal, to go level on aggregate, before edging the Libyan club 3–2 on penalties to qualify for the second round.

The Promise Keepers fell 2–0 to Al-Hilal in the second round, first leg, at the Al-Hilal Stadium on Sunday April 8, 2018.

However, their 3–1 win over Al-Hilal in the second round, return leg at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Sunday, April 18, 2018 courtesy of Denis Nya's first half injury-time goal and Michael Ibe's brace in the second half was not enough to take Akwa United to the group stage, as Al-Hilal's Mohammed Bashir 28' minute goal qualified the Sudanese club on away goals rule.

Highest position ever on the log

The Promise Keepers finished second on the 2017–18 NPFL log with 41 points from 24 matches, two points behind leaders Lobi Stars in July 2018.

2018 Aiteo Cup quarter final Exit

The two time FA Cup Champions who were hoping to defend their 2017 Aiteo Cup crown were halted in the quarter final via penalties by Enugu Rangers at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano on Wednesday, 3 October 2018.

Michael Ibeh put Akwa United in front with a well-taken freekick in the first half, before Okey Odita drew level for Enugu Rangers, 20 minutes to the end of regulation time.

The Flying Antelopes, however prevailed 4–2 in the penalty shoot-outs.[2]

2018–19: Abridged league

Official team photo of Akwa United for the 2018–19 NPFL

Akwa United management signed former Abia Warriors and FC Ifeanyi Ubah coach, Rafael Everton to lead the team in the abridged 2018–19 NPFL, following the departure of coach Abdullahi Maikaba to Plateau United at the conclusion of the 2017–18 season.[3]

The Brazilian tactician became the third foreigner after Cameroonian Emmanuel Deutsch and Belgian Maurice Cooreman to handle Akwa United in its 22-year-old history.

Twelve new players joined the team, including former player and Enyimba captain, Mfon Udoh, 2013 Super Eagles AFCON winner, Juwon Oshaniwa, and 2016 Federation Cup winner, Alberico Da Silva.[4]

The team lost 1–0 at home to El-Kanemi Warriors on the opening day of the league and followed up with a 1–1 draw at Kano Pillars on matchday three, being their second game of the season, after the matchday two tie against Gombe United was postponed.

They drew 2–2 at home against Plateau United on matchday four and lost 2–0 to Nasarawa United at Lafia Township stadium in a matchday five fixture.

Coach Everton side recorded their first win of the season on matchday six courtesy of a 3–0 home win over new comers, Go Round FC and went on an unbeaten run which culminated in a hard fought 2–1 victory over Heartland FC of Owerri at the Okigwe Township stadium.[5]

Akwa United ended the first round in second place on the Group B log with 19 points from 11 matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding 10.

Honours
  • Nigerian FA Cup: x2
2015, 2017
2016
2016

Performances in CAF competitions
2016 – First Round
2018 – Third Round

Players

Current players
As of 10 February 2020[6]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  NGA Adewale Adeyinka
2 DF  NGA Olisa Ndah
3 DF  NGA Philip David
4 DF  NGA Matthew Etim
5 DF  NGA Sampson Gbadebo
6 DF  NGA Denis Nya
7 FW  NGA Ubong Friday
8 FW  NGA Saidu Salisu
9 FW  NGA Michael Ohanu
10 FW  NGA Orok Akarandut
11 FW  NGA Paul Obata
12 MF  NGA Morice Chukwu
13 FW  NGA Christian Ekong
14 MF  NGA Marshal Johnson
15 DF  NGA Wilson Elu
16 DF  NGA Otobong Effiong (Captain)
17 FW  NGA Ifeanyi Eze
18 GK  CMR Jean Efala
19 FW  NGA Ocheme Edoh
No. Pos. Nation Player
21 FW  NGA Ndifreke Effiong
22 GK  NGA Bassey Akpan
23 DF  NGA Ali Chiwendu
24 MF  NGA Dare Ojo
25 FW  NGA Wisdom Fernando
26 FW  NGA Ikechukwu Nwani
27 MF  NGA Ubong Essien
28 MF  NGA Arinze Nwangwu
29 DF  NGA Etboy Akpan
30 GK  NGA Itodo Akor
31 DF  TOG Kodjovi Dadzie
32 DF  NGA Ekemini Ukoebe
33 MF  NGA Ukeme Williams
34 MF  NGA Emmanuel Charles
35 DF  NGA Godspower Igudia (Vice-captain)
37 MF  NGA Godswill Nicholas

Staff

Management staff
Position Name
Chairman Paul Bassey
Team manager Emmanuel Udoh
Secretary Omon Bassey
Accountant Mary Akpaidiok
Welfare officer Asuquo Samuel
Media manager Mfon Patrick
Cashier Idara Ekong
Camp commandant Anietie Christo Davies

Technical staff
Position Name
Head coach Kennedy Boboye
Assistant coach (Goalkeeper Trainer) Moses Effiong (MON)
Deputy head coach Ali Atune Jolomi
Assistant coach Abasiakan Windy
Assistant coach (Fitness Trainer) Abdullahi Umar
Referees coordinator Okon Ekanem
Scout Usoro Imaikop
Doctor Obot Jackson
Nurse Emem Edwin
Physiotherapist Albert Samuel
Psychologist Ime Uko
Kit and Equipment managers Aniedi Isaiah

Akaninyene Dickson

Administrative staff
Position Name
Office Manager Uwem James
Office Secretary Emem Udofot
Assistant Office Manager Ndiana-Abasi James
Transport officers Edet Okon

Sunny Cosmas

Austine George

Monday Solomon

Security officers Okon Udo

Edikan Dominic

Managerial history

Akwa United Head Coaches since 1997–1998 Nigeria football season

Season Name League
1997–1998 Benard Ogbe NNL
1998–1999 Henry Nwosu NNL
1999–2000 Henry Nwosu NNL
2000–2001 Anietie Ukpa NNL
2001–2002 Anietie Ukpa NNL
2002–2003 Henry Nwosu NNL
2003–2004 Henry Nwosu NNL
2004–2005 Emmanuel King NNL
2005–2006 Charles Bassey NNL
2006–2007 Charles Bassey NNL
2007–2008 Emmanuel Deutsch NNL
2008–2009 Ime Uko NPFL
2008–2009 Godwin Uwua NPFL
2008–2009 Patrick Udoh NPFL
2009–2010 Bernard Ogbe NNL
2010–2011 Solomon Ogbeide NNL
2011–2012 Solomon Ogbeide 2011–12 NPFL
2012–2013 Patrick Udoh 2012–13 NPFL
2013–2014 Justin Tenger 2013–14 NPFL
2014–2015 Zachary Baraje 2014–15 NPFL
2015–2016 Maurice Cooreman 2015–16 NPFL
2016–2017 Abdullahi Maikaba 2016–17 NPFL
2017–2018 Abdullahi Maikaba 2017–18 NPFL
2018–2019 Rafael Everton 2018–19 NPFL
2019 – John Obuh 2019–20 NPFL
2019 – Kennedy Boboye 2019–20 NPFL
  • Last updated: 10 February 2020
  • Source:[7]

References

  1. "Akwa Ibom approves`Nest of Champions' for Akwa United". The Nation Newspaper. June 24, 2015.
  2. "Aiteo Cup 2018 reigning champions Always United knocked out on penalties by Rangers". www.pulse.ng. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  3. "Akwa United Unveil 12 New Players for 2018–19 NPFL Season". The Punch. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  4. "Akwa United Unveil 12 New Players for 2018–19 NPFL Season". akwaunitedfc.net. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  5. "Akwa United Humble Heartland in Okigwe, Climb to 2nd Spot on the Log". akwaunitedfc.net. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  6. "Akwa United Squad". Flashscore.com.ng. Flashscore. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  7. "Akwa United History". Akwa United. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
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