Akwa Ibom State League: Blackpool FA Crowned Champions After Thrilling Victory Over Pillars Sports
Blackpool Football Academy were crowned champions of the 2025 Akwa Ibom State League after defeating Pillars Sports Academy 2-0 in a fiercely contested final at the Uyo Township Stadium on Saturday.
It was a match that lived up to its billing, as both debutant sides, who had thrilled fans with their attacking football all season, battled for their first league title. In the end, it was Friday Abraham who stole the show with a brace that sealed victory for Blackpool FA.
The breakthrough came just before half-time when Abraham calmly converted a penalty in the 43rd minute to give Blackpool the lead. Pillars came back from the break with renewed energy, mounting pressure in search of an equaliser, but were repeatedly denied by a resolute Blackpool defence.
Their hopes were dashed in the 76th minute when Abraham struck again, heading home from a corner-kick to seal a famous win for his team and spark wild celebrations among Blackpool supporters.
The Special Guest of Honour at the final, Comrade Kingsley Sammy Akpan, the newly elected Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Akwa Ibom State, congratulated both teams for their spirited display and presented the trophy to the winners.
Speaking after the match, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association, Mr Samuel Umoh, expressed satisfaction with the success of the league.
“When we came into office, there was a clear vacuum, and we took the bold step to revive the Akwa Ibom State League as part of our commitment to grassroots football development,” he said.
With the State League now concluded, both Blackpool FA and Pillars Sports Academy will represent Akwa Ibom State at the upcoming Nationwide League One (NLO) playoffs as they continue their journey in Nigeria’s football pyramid.
This year’s edition of the Akwa Ibom State League saw a high level of competition, with Blackpool FA and Pillars Sports scoring 14 and 13 goals respectively, the most of any teams in the tournament that produced 92 goals in 27 matches played.
The final match capped a thrilling campaign which had 16 teams in participation, with only players who have never tasted league action given the opportunity to display their talent.
