By Promise Etim
PREAMBLE
Over the years, football has been widely regarded as one sport with capacity to unite people from different tribe, religious and ethnic affiliation. For the people of state, Akwa United football club has continually been a source of uniting persons from the three major ethnic groups namely; the Ibibios, Annangs and Oro. This is as a result of massive development football as a sport and Akwa united as a club has brought to the people in terms of human capital development; evident in signing of home grown players to provision of infrastructures; one of such being the newly constructed 30,000 capacity Godswill Akpabio international Stadium, which has hosted a couple of league matches in the country and a some national teams.
Akwa United FC, formerly referred to as Ibom Stars FC was established in November 1996, by the then Governor of the state, Navy Captain Joseph Adeusi, with key responsibilities handed down to Coach Charles Bassey and a few other prominent sons of the State that had stint with various football clubs within and outside the country. The club secured the slot of NITEL Vasco Da Gama FC of Enugu. Establishing the team was direct compliment to revive the heroics’ of Jetimo Fotball Club, Police Machine FC both of Uyo and Mobil Pegasus FC of Eket. The staunched rivalry between Akwa United (Ibom Stars) and the defunct Mobil Pegasus FC of Eket was key to stabilization of the Uyo based side, as many believed they always played catch-up with Mobil FC in terms of finance, quality of players and general administration.
But both sides struggled in the lower ebb of the league for too long a time. Akwa United gained its first promotion to the elite division in 2006 on some controversial note, winning 13-0 against Calabar Rovers on the final day of the 2005/2006 National League season. But their surgeon in the top flight did not last as many actually dreamt of as Zamfara United’s 9-0 win on the final day of the 2008/2009 season returned the team to the lower division. They made an impressive return to the premier league within two seasons, this time on a more convincing note. Many big guns have played for Akwa United FC, including the likes of; Friday Ekpo, Okon Abanda, John Okon Ene, Tony Amuneke, Godwin Emmah, Vincent Enyeama, Aniekan Enyeama, Samson Udodidiong, Imoh Lucky, Baba Ekure, Emem Eduok, Imoh Chrsito, Mfon Udoh, Ezekiel Bassey, Aniefiok Godspower, Solomon Udo, Victor Friday, Augustine Brown, Akarandut Orok, Aniekan Ekpe, etc…the list is endless.
Akwa United FC has also been coached by reputable managers in the game, including the likes of; Henry Nwosu, Bernard Ogbe, Godwin Koko Uwah, Emmanuel King, Justin Tenger, Patrick Udoh and recently, Zarachy Baraje.
2013/14 Season Review
Akwa united finished 16th on the log, despite being amongst the top four in the opening weeks of the season. Having relieved Justin Tenger of his duty, new Coach Patrick Udoh brought a sense of believe and hope to fans of the Uyo side after signing the dotted lines on a one year deal. This was accompanied with some disappointment, following the departure of Mfon Udoh to Enyimba FC. His departure created room for discovery of fresh talents in the mould of; Ezekiel Bassey, Kufre Ebong and Aniefiok Godspower. A season marred with financial challenges, the Promise Keepers’ could not get past the round of 64 in the Federation Cup, the teams’ worst outing in over a decade. One question that occupied the heart of Akwa United fans was, how a resourceful and strong looking side at the beginning of a season, could only manage a place above relegation waters after 38 rounds of matches. This was key to the disengagement of Coach Patrick Udoh.
2014/2015 PRE-SEASON
Akwa United FC of Uyo, began preparations for the 2014/2015 Football season on some positive, following restructuring of the team after they escaped the drop with few matches to round off the 2013/2014 season. Before pre-season formalities had begun, the club parted ways with Coach Patrick Udoh and a few members of the technical crew, in what was termed “a technical clean up”. Udoh, an indigenous coach, before joining Akwa United, had stint with First Bank FC of Lagos. During his stay with the club, he played an active role in the discovery of some quality home grown talents for the club.
Despite being hugely criticized by many for a couple of avoidable lapses, Coach Udoh took credit for the discovery of Ezekiel Bassey, Kufre Ebong and Aniefiok Godspower who upon Udoh’s departure joined Enyimba, Warri Wolves and Kano Pillars respectively. It is worthy to mention that Akwa United Football club, did has not just create opportunities for Akwa Ibom Youths to express themselves, but has also seen to the development and transfer of knowledge and skills, through players it has groomed, to other parts of the country and beyond. According to a survey by npfl.ng, the major target of Akwa united FC for the 2014/2015 Globalcom Nigerian Professional Football League Season was to earn a continental ticket and gear towards the later stages of Federation cup.
Coach Zarachy Baraje during a recent chat with npfl.ng, said he was never under pressure to deliver results, but was determined to give his best to the club. The former Enyimba FC handler had on various medium called on stakeholders of the club to collaborate and imbibe the spirit of Synergy, as he said, that would create room for sustainable development of the club. Baraje said he was aware of the desire of Uyo fans to see good football, promising to complement good football with quality results at home and away. On preparations for the new season, Baraje praised the management for organizing training tour(s) and friendly games for the team, which he said was necessary to keep the players in shape for the task ahead. Akwa United drew 0-0 with Abia Warriors and earned a 1-0 win away at Dolphins, as part of preparations for the season in review. It was a good lead to prepare for the first game of the season away to Enyimba FC of Aba.
TRANSFERS (INS & OUTS)
The departure of Ezekiel Bassey, Kufre Ebong and Aniefiok Godspower, created a huge vacuum in the team, which actually left management of the club in limbo, over who should be signed to replace them. The three were the team’s key players in the preceding season. As a matter of urgency, the club rushed into the transfer market to secure signature(s) of some top notch players, but that was rather belated, as most clubs in the country held onto the prized assets, with few days to close of the transfer window. Amazingly, no one gave Akwa United a chance in the just concluded season, because of the quality of players that departed the team, and others that were courted to team up with existing ones. Following the departure of Ezekiel Bassey, Kufre Ebong and Aniefiok Godspower, the club secured the services of more than ten (10) players. These players were either bench warmers in some clubs or fringe players that were free agents. The team’s inability to secure top quality players was linked to paucity of funds. Nigerian U-20 invitee, Daniel Emmanson gave Olufemi Kayode and Victor Obiowo a good run for their money in goal. The former Ibom Youths FC stopper also faced stiff competition from Idongesit Peter who also joined from arch rivals, Akwa Starlet.
As part of the club’s new regulatory policy, which was aimed at ensuring discipline across board, the club meted out stringent rules to curb flamboyant lifestyle of some of its players, which many believed contributed to poor performance recorded in the 2013/2014 season. The intervention was geared towards ensuring the players are abreast with the norms and principles of the club and its management team. These saw to the camping of the players in a particular confinement, rather than allowing them reside in separate locations within town, as the case had been in previous seasons.
Despite playing a huge part in the team’s pre-season campaign, Augustine Brown was not included as an integral member of the squad. Brown, who left Dolphins FC in pre-season to team up with the Uyo based side, was rumoured to be dropped on grounds of Indiscipline and a re-occurring knee problem. Defenders; Nnamso Edo, Otobong Effiong, Hamza Onwuemenyi, Godspower Igudia, Ada Adama faced with stiff competition following the arrival of; Patience Kounnou (AS Garde, Niger Republic), Favour Okey (Sharks), Samuel Agbai (Rangers), Belema Ferido (Sharks) and a host of others, though most of them were not eventually signed by the club.
The transfer of Ezekiel Bassey and Kufre Ebong primed the technical crew to plan for the season in review, focusing on various options, with Ukeme Davies forming a new partnership upfront with homegrown talent, Aniekpeno Udoh and a very experienced Ebube Okpokwu, who joined from Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt. Former Ibom Stars and Enyimba FC playmaker, Aniekan Ekpe also signed up, and was of huge significance to the team, given his wealth of experience in the domestic scene. Ekpe joined the club as a free agent. The departure of Aniefiok Godspower to Kano pillars left room for Abasiama Michael, Ini Akpan and Yusuf Adio to provide the necessary framework needed to create enabling environment for new faces; Johnson Oluwezi (Dolphins), Ubong Friday (Akwa Starlets) and Chinedu Eziomiora (Heartland) to express themselves. Akwa United also secured the signature of Ibukun Harrison (Akwa Starlets), Thompson Etikerentse (Christ Ambassadors) and Kenneth Anyanwu (Rangers).
There was also a managerial swap, as Zarachy Baraje took over from Patrick Udoh. Baraje edged out the likes of Bernard Ogbe, Okey Emordi, John Ogbugh and others for the plump job. At least ten (10) first grade coaches applied for the job.
COMPLIANCE WITH LEAGUE MANAGEMENT COMPANY’S MINIMUM WAGE
As part of the League Management Company’s (LMC) resolve to transform the league and ensure better welfare package for players of various clubs in the Globalcom Nigerian Professional Football League, clubs were asked to abolish sign on fees and pay players a minimum of N150,000/monthly. Akwa United was one of the few clubs, alongside Enyimba FC, Kano Pillars and FC Ifeanyi Uba, to adhere to the new financial policy of the LMC. This feat placed the club ahead of others, in terms of players’ welfare and financial fair-play.
START OF THE 2014/2015 SEASON
Akwa United FC began the season at the Uyo Township Stadium, before moving to the Nest of Champions on matchday 14. The season got started on a bright note, with a massive goal-less draw on the opening day, away to Champions, Enyimba FC at the Enyimba Int’l Stadium, Aba. But the team suffered a huge defeat at home to FC Taraba at the Uyo Township Stadium on matchday 2. Subsequent defeats away to Sharks FC and FC Giwa on matchdays 3 and 5 respectively, saw the Promise Keepers’ slide down further on the table. Following a review of facilitates by the League Management Company on matchday 9, the Uyo Township Stadium alongside eight other centers across the country were adjudged unfit to host Premier League matches by the LMC, leading to the disbandment of the team to a new venue, with the club handed two options; The Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium and the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar. The team played Kwara United on matchday 12 at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, before returning to the Nest of Champions on matchday 14. Akwa United drew Warri Wolves 1-1 in the very first league match to be played at the Nest of Champions on the 28th of June, 2015. The team recovered its rhythm at the new venue, when they trashed Enugu Rangers’ 2-0 on matchday 16.
The mid-season break met Akwa United middle of the table, with a prospect of winning the Akwa Ibom State FA Cup. The first half of the season also saw a change in leadership of the team, as Akparawa Nse Ubeh replaced Hon. Isong Isang as the club’s chairman. Akparawa Nse Ubeh, was a former president of foremost socio-political organization in the state, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio. Hon. Isong was in charge of the team for almost a decade.
FA CUP LOSS TO AKWA STARLETS
Akwa United lost in the final of the Akwa Ibom State FA Cup to Akwa Starlets 0-1. It was a result that many believed projected the side as one that won’t be able to deliver silverware at the end of the season, given its position on the league table and quality of teams participating in the Federation cup.
MID-SEASON TRANSFERS
It became obvious that the club had to lay off a couple of fringe player, who could not live up to billing. More than five of the players brought in at the start of the season were dropped, while the club looked locally for recruitment of players to fill the void. This paved way for the likes of Nsikan Etim, Nicholas Joseph and a few others to make a mark at the big stage. Etim joined from armature side, Hill FC, while Nicholas was signed from National League side, Akwa Starlets FC. Former U-17 star, Samuel Okon also joined Akwa United FC in mid-season, to bluster Baraje’s options in the flank.
FIRST CLUB TO PLAY A LEAGUE MATCH AT NIGHT IN THE COUNTRY
As part of its transformation programme, the League Management Company (LMC) decided to root for league matches to be played on Friday nights, in a bid to give the NPFL a face lift. They decided in their magnanimity to test run the concept with a match at the Nest of Champions. It was the fixture between Akwa United and Nasarawa United FC of Lafia on September 25. The game ended 2-0 in favour of Akwa United, but the memories it left behind was absolutely stunning, being the first league match to be played under flood light in the country.
RELEGATION BATTLE
Akwa United FC had to wait till the final day of the season to beat the drop, at the expanse of Baylesa United, Kwara united, FC Taraba and Sharks FC. The relegation battle received a major boast on matcday 36, when the team sealed a massive 2-2 draw away at Enugu Rangers. The team had lost hope of safety after disappointing home draws in the second round against Enyimba FC (2-2), Giwa FC (2-2) and El-Kanemi (1-1) on matchdays 21, 25 and 27 respectively. These results pushed the team further down the drop zone. It became obvious that, the Akwa United had to depend on events in Ibandan (Shooting Stars v Dolphins) and Umuahia (Abia Warriors v Sharks FC) to ensure safety. The fixture in Ibadan ended 2-2, while Abia Warriors saw off Sharks FC 1-0. Akwa United defeated Lobi Stars 1-0 in a tensed game at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, to keep their place in the top flight.
FEDERATION CUP TRIUMPH
Journey to the trophy:
Akwa United 6-0 Dalhatu United (Round of 64)
Akwa United 3-1 Peacemaker FC (Round of 32)
Akwa United 1-0 Prime FC (Round of 16)
Akwa United 4-3 Tornadoes Feeders (Penalty) (Quarter final)
Akwa United 1-0 Nasarawa United (Semi final)
Akwa United 2-1 Lobi Stars (Final)
Akwa United broke a 56 year old jinx, to be the first side from Akwa Ibom/Cross River to win a major trophy in the country. The team has previously reached the quarter finals of the competition, but was unable to get past that stage, despite having a tremendous squad. In a match witnessed by more than 10,000 fans at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Namso Edo gave Akwa United a lifeline in the 37th minute with a superlative free kick, before Abdulafeez Awakan doubled the advantage in the 70th minute. Lobi Stars pulled one back at the stroke of full time, through Barnabas Imenger. Akwa United won the federation cup and will join Nasarawa United to represent the country in next season’s CAF confederations cup.
League champions Enyimba FC and Warri Wolves will represent Nigeria in the CAF champions’ league. Akwa United players also carted away with two prestigious awards in this season’s Federation Cup. Ubong Friday was handed the golden boot as he emerged top scorer with six goals, while Abdulafeez Awakan was awarded the golden ball, after being unanimously voted as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).
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