Akwa United FC of Uyo has emerged this year’s champion of Federation Cup after beating Lobi Stars of Makurdi 2-1 to lift the Cup for the first time.
In a final match played at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, last Sunday, Nnamso Edo scored the first goal for Akwa United in the 37th minutes of the epic encounter, while Awakan Abdulafeez doubled the lead for the Uyo Club in the 69th minute., , ,
However, Lobi Stars of Makurdi that has won the cup once and played five times in the finals of the cup pulled out one goal through a free kick at the stoppage time.
By this big win, Akwa United will join the big three in representing the country in the next year’s Confederation of African Football (CAF) competition.
The stadium was filled to capacity with mostly Akwa United FC fans and other sports enthusiasts, administrators and political bigwigs adorning jerseys with bold inscription of AKWA UNITED FC on the front and Akwa Ibom Edakka eda at the back.
In Uyo, fans, motorists, keke operators and others who watched the match live on television, rode through the busy streets of Uyo, the state capital singing songs and dancing in jubilation.
Governor Udom Emmanuel, who was at the stadium with other government officials, expressed excitement at the unprecedented victory of Akwa United, recalled his meeting with the players at the Government House Banquet Hall, Uyo, where he charged them to return to the hall with the cup.
He expressed joy that the victory exemplified the dakkada initiative of his administration and called on Akwa Ibom people, especially the youths to emulate Akwa United by rising to the faith of greatness. He challenged Akwa Ibom people “to refrain from ayak etok spirit and move to the peak of their careers”.
Enjoining the players to play and win the CAF competition next year, the Governor promised to host the Federation Cup champions to official reception and redeem his pledge to them.
In a telephone interview with the Akwa Ibom State Director of Sports, Mr. Aniedi Dickson, he described the victory as unprecedented saying “This is the greatest thing that has put Akwa Ibom State in the map of sports in this Country. I am happy we are part of it, we have arrived as far as sports is concerned. It is not easy to beat 62 teams and then play in the finals.”
He however called on the State Government to pay more attention to the team, as a way of encouraging them to excel, when they play at the continental level in CAF competition. The sports director also appealed to the State government to assist in signing new players to boost the team.
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