NPFL: Akwa Utd unveils 16 new players ahead of new season
Akwa United FC of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State has signed 16 new
players to enhance its chances in next football season starting
this weekend.
The Akwa Ibom football team is one of Nigeria’s representatives
in the CAF Confederation Cup and the new players were unveiled
on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
The club is now a mixture of youth and experienced players
including a winger, Etboy Akpan signed from a Slovenian club
and 15 others signed from Premier League clubs and academies
in Nigeria.
They include Ubong Essien (We’ll come Time Academy Kano)
Emmanuel Charles (Akwa Starlet), Daniel Ekpo (Rivers United),
Kenneth James (Elkanemi Warriors), Aminu Nuhu (Adamawa
United) Aniekeme Asuquo (Akwa Starlet) Katoh Haggai (GBS
Academy Jos)
Others include Gabriel Wassa (Rivers United) Yenne Tenton (GBS
Academy) Kelly Kester (Enyimba). Victor Mbaoma (Remo Stars)
Ajibola Otegbeye (Sunshine Stars) Adeshina Gata (ABS), Dennis
Nya (Lobi Stars) and Etim Matthew (Enugu Rangers).
Club Chairman Etubom Paul Bassey at the ceremony expressed
joy that the club was able to retain the bulk of its old players
stressing that the new signings was to strengthen the team due
to its continental engagement and injuries to some of the old
players.
Bassey lauded the support of the state government, fans and the
media assuring that the club would work hard to improve upon
its performance in the previous league season and continental
outing.
“We are ready for the new season and I want to assure our fans
that by the grace of God who we have made the foundation of
this club, we will turn our home ground, the Godswill Akpabio
Stadium into a slaughter house for visiting teams.
Head Coach, Abdul Maikaba said some of the players were
given long term contracts in order to bring stability and instill
confidence in the minds of the players.
Akwa United who won the Nigeria’s Federation Cup will start its
new season at home against former champions Enugu Rangers
this weekend and would compete in the preliminary round of the
CAF Confederation Cup starting from next month.