The Promise Keepers had hoped a win against the Elephants would help them close in on Rangers of Enugu and Remo Stars of Ikenne, occupying third and fourth place on the log, respectively. Rangers had edged Heartland 3-1 in Awka, while Remo Stars were beaten 2-0 by Abia Warriors in Okigwe on Saturday.

Enyimba had their goalkeeper, Djeri Bassa, to thank for stunning saves in the first quarter-hour. The Togolese had denied Bello Babatunde twice before stretching at full length to prevent Ubong Friday from putting the Promise Keepers ahead, just ten yards out.

Ayeni’s men had to wait till the 40th minute for a breakthrough in a half they dominated. Bello Babatubde’s 25 yards free-kick strolled past Bassa, who thought he had things covered.

Enyimba approached the second half with a different mentality, pushing the home side to defend for the first quarter-hour. The champions gathered momentum to reverse the trend midway through the half.

The visitor’s brilliant display in the second half almost earned them an equalizer ten minutes before time. Victor Mbaoma failed to make it count when he missed a sitter inside the penalty area. At the other end, Wisdom Fernando could have sealed the game for the home side on 83 minutes, but for the woodwork.

With a minute of stoppage time played, Enyimba grabbed a precious point courtesy of Mbaoma’s header inside six yards. The result pushed Enyimba to 7th on the log with 39 points, six adrift of Rangers in the race for the third place, while Akwa United is 5th.

Match Stats:
Corners: 4-2
Shots: 14-9
On Target: 7-5
Fouls Won: 14-8
Yellow: 0-3
Red: 0-0
Saves: 4-6
Offsides: 2-3

Speaking after his side’s lone goal triumph against Lobi Stars in a MatchDay 25 fixture played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Sunday, Ayeni confessed that he was overwhelmed by the outcome of his first six games. He praised his players for maintaining a high degree of consistency and being focused. 

“We are happy with the result, but I still maintain that the team is still a work in progress. We are not there yet. In the situation we have found ourselves, the fans desire more, and we must do our best to meet their aspirations. I think we can assess the team better after matchday 30”, he said. 

Ayeni, who joined the Promise Keepers in mid-season, has not suffered a defeat since the MatchDay 20 draw at home to Rivers United, with the 6-1 bashing of Nasarawa United top of the list of results he has amassed for the Uyo side since taking over from Kennedy Boboye. 

Bello Babatunde’s stunning effort from the edge of the area in 37 minutes was all Akwa United needed to see off Lobi Stars of Makurdi. Despite dominating possession for most of the second half, Lobi Stars could not secure the equalizer that could have put them level on points with Dakkada FC and Abia Warriors. 

The result propelled Akwa United to 5th on the log, pending the outcome of Sunshine Stars’ date away to Kano Pillars in Abuja. Lobi is two points above the relegation zone but could end the MatchDay in the drop zone if Kano Pillars and Heartland FC win their respective fixtures on Monday. 

Reigning Nigeria Professional Football League Champions Akwa United recorded their biggest victory in the NPFL following a resounding 6-1 thrashing of Nasarawa United on match-day 24 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

Captain Ubong Friday, who recently returned to full fitness opened the flood-gate of goals in the seventh minute when he slammed home a rebound after goalkeeper Danlami Umar spilled Bello Babatunde’s ferocious strike from a free kick.

Midfielder Adam Yakubu doubled the lead in the 15th minute tucking in Bello Babatunde’s low cross before speedster Wisdom Fernando scored twice within seven minutes.

Fernando first received a long pass from goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka and skipped past the opposing defenders before sending his low drive into the bottom left corner of the post. The speedster then grabbed his brace when he stylishly volleys home his team’s fourth goal of the afternoon as they went into the break with a deserved lead.

On resumption of play, Nasarawa United enjoyed few moments of possession and pulled a goal back through King Osanga.

Akwa United responded almost immediately through Bello Babatunde whose well-timed strike flew past Danlami Umar into the back of the net.

With ten minutes before the end of the game, substitute striker Franklin Matib put the icing on the cake when he raced down the right flank and unleashed a powerful strike beyond Danlami Umar for Akwa United’s sixth goal of the game as the hosts secured their eighth win of the season.

The 6-1 victory over Nasarawa United was the first time Akwa United have beaten any team by such a wide margin in their 14 seasons in the Nigeria’s top flight league.

Coach Ayodeji Ayeni’s team are on a five-match unbeaten run comprising two (2) wins and three (3) draws.

Coach Ayeni in a post match interview congratated his players for putting up a splendid performance against a team like Nasarawa United.

“We are improving everyday, and I’m happy that we have been able to change the mentality of the players and hard work we put in during training is beginning to reflect in our matches and the boys are also very confident and determined.

“Our attention is now on the game against Lobi Stars this weekend. Our target is to give our very best in all our games while hoping for the best as we continue to move forward “.

The Promise Keepers remained 7th on the log with 36 points from 24 games and they will next engage Lobi Stars in Uyo on Sunday 24th April, 2022.

Seldom Dickson won gold in the Clean and Jerk with a lift of 174kg as well as a gold in the Total 309kg while settling for a silver medal in the snatch with a lift of 135kg.

Dickson said he trained hard for the Championship adding that he passed recovered from a slight injury.

The 2014 Commonwealth Bronze medallists said he is focused on returning to the podium at next year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

He said, “I am excited about winning two gold and 1 silver at the champion of champions and I really thank God for the strength given to me during the championship.

“I promise to put up a good fight at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games and every power belongs to God. I will train hard and come back with a gold medal”.

“The Olympic Games is the biggest sporting event in the world; I see myself in Paris 2024. All I am going to do is work on how to increase my body mass to 96kg class”, he added.

The Football Club Owners Association Of Nigeria (Club Owners) have sent a congratulatory message to one of its member-Clubs Akwa United FC of Uyo as they emerged as Champions of the 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League. 

The Association said the historic achievement by the Elder Paul Bassey led Management of the south south club is an indication of total commitment, hardworking and determination by the players, coaches and management as well as huge executive backing by the government and good people of Akwaibom state.

According to a statement by the Association jointly signed by the Chairman Barr. Isaac Danladi and the Executive Secretary Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka , club owners saluted the Akwa United FC for being a well deserved champions losing only 4 matches throughout the season as well as lifting the trophy before the final league games.

It enjoined the club to maintain the tempo and winning spirit even as they represent the country at the continental level with an assurance that the Association will give them the needed support to succeed. 

Club Owners praised the LMC and the Management of Akwa United FC for hosting a colourful presentation ceremony which has boosted the image of the NPFL globally via the NPFL.tv platform. 

The Promise Keepers host Adamawa United at the Nest of Champions and the Nigeria international insists that his men should be considered the team to beat.

“Favourites to win the game? Us. It’s hard to pick a favourite in a game, but playing at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, we’re favourites because we’re at home,” he said.

“We’ve already shown how to beat the best in the league. We have to be ourselves and fight, sweat blood and tears, give our all.

“We have to play our game. They have talented players, but we’re fearless.

“We aren’t scared of them. We’ve already beaten in Gombe. An Akwa United player must never be scared.

“The gaffer works and studies all the details. Kennedy Boboye speaks from his heart and knows how to get the best out of his players.

Etim Matthew has become an everpresent member of the Akwa United backline this season.

The 1st ever Hon Famous Daunemigha Beach Volleyball Championship was held at West Itam Sports Centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday.

Rivers state beat Trailblazers 2-0 (21-15, 21-8) to win the U21 girls category while Delta state defeated Cobra 2-0 (21-18, 21-18) to win the U21 boys category.

The captain of Rivers State Girls team, Blessing Kingsley told journalist that winning gold medal at the championship will spur her to put more effort in beach volleyball.

Kingsley commended the orgainsers of the championship for organizing such magnitude of championship in the South South appealing Hon Famous Daunemigha to continue sponsoring the championship yearly.

She said, “This is my first time of playing on a beach volleyball court and I give God the glory for making me win my first beach volleyball Gold medal. I want to appreciate my coach for encouraging me to venture into beach volleyball and this medal will make me put more effort in the sport.

“I want to say a big thank you to the orgainsers of this successful championship; everyone is very excited because it has been a long time we witnessed this magnitude of championship”

Meanwhile, the sponsor of the U21 Beach Volleyball Championship, Hon Famous Daunemigha assured athletes and coaches of regular championship in the South South region.

Hon Daunemigha said he is impressed by the turnout of the athletes and spectators adding that sports can be used as a means to curb social vices in the society.

BY Spikers finished third in the U21 Girls event while promising Team Williams placed third position in the U21 boy’s event at the just Hon Famous Daunemigha U21 South South Boys and Girls Beach Volleyball Championship.

Akwa United’s combative midfielder, Morice Chukwu is excited and relieved to have scored his first goal in the Nigeria Professional Football League on Sunday in his team’s 3-0 bashing of Rivers United in Uyo.

Morice scored a spectacular free-kick in the 89th minute of the match to help his side to a resounding victory against the Pride of Rivers on Match-day 13.

Morice, in an exclusive interview with the club’s official website www.akwaunitedfc.com, described the moment as unforgettable, adding that the goal has given him the confidence and belief to keep working hard for more goals.

“Immediately that ball went into the back of the net, it was as if a heavy stone was lifted off my shoulders. I’m happy and relieved that I have scored my first professional goal at this level of football.

“When I stood over the ball and I saw the organisation of Rivers United’s wall and where the goalkeeper was standing, I was thinking on how to bend the ball beyond the wall. And when I curled the free-kick, it went just the way I visualised it and I’m excited that I got it right.

“I played two seasons with Go-Round FC in the NPFL but I didn’t score. When I came to Akwa United, I told myself that I must improve my game especially in terms of scoring goals and this is my second season with Akwa United, so I was worried that the goals weren’t coming, despite the fact that I take most of the set pieces.

“Having scored my first top flight career goal, I want to really thank God for the grace to score and I pray for the strength to score more. I want to dedicate this goal to our Chairman Elder Paul Bassey who openly challenged me in front of the entire team to make good use of my opportunities from set pieces, and I wish to sincerely thank the chairman for encouraging me”.

The midfielder joined the Promise Keepers from Go-Round FC at the beginning of last season and played all 25 league games before the season was brought to an abrupt end due to the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic.

This term, Morice Chukwu has been involved in 12 of Akwa United’s 13 games thus far, missing out on his side’s 1-1 draw with Wikki Tourists on Match-day 5 in Uyo.