Akwa United players, owner, stadium, coach, trophies, world rankings

Akwa United players, owner, stadium, coach, trophies, world rankings

Lewis Injai
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:55 PM

Akwa United's players have been the talk of the town lately. Based in the South region of Nigeria in the metropolis of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state is Akwa United FC, a club that has been making headlines with its dramatic rise to the top of the league. Join us as we learn more!

Akwa United
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Fresh out of winning the Nigeria 2021 premiere league title and its controversial-like winning style and the ability to attract a large crowd to its matches, who are some of the people behind Akwa United FC? This article looks at Akwa United's players, owner, stadium, coach, its trophies and achievements, world rankings, and much more.

Akwa United FC's profile summary

  • Full name: Akwa United Football Club
  • Nickname: The Promise Keepers
  • Founded in: 1996
  • Based in: Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State Nigeria
  • Owned by: Akwa-Ibom State Government
  • Coach: Kennedy Boboye
  • Current League: Nigeria Professional Football League
  • Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium
  • Stadium Capacity: 30,000
  • Colour: Orange, white and black
  • Website: akwaunitedfc.com
  • Akwa United FC's Instagram: @akwaunitedfc
  • Akwa United FC's Twitter: @AkwaUnited_fc

Akwa United history

The idea of a state football club was conceived by the late Captain Joseph Adeusi, the Administrative Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, during the military regime.

In 1996 the then CAF coordinator Paul Bassey stumbled upon news that the telecommunication giant NITEL wanted to get rid of their Enugu-based club Nitel Vasco Da Gama.

After successful bidding and negotiation, the club was bought, and the name changed to Ibom Stars Football Club. The team began its official professional campaigns in the 1996/97 second-tier football league playing its home matches at the Uyo Township stadium.

After playing in the second division league for close to ten years and gaining promotion to the NPFL in the 2007/08 season, the team's management filed for a name change. Hence the current name Akwa United FC.

Akwa United FC's nickname

The team is also referred to as The Promise Keepers. They came up with the name when they were undergoing a name change from Ibom Stars FC to Akwa United FC.

Who are the Akwa United FC owners?

The Akwa-Ibom State Government wholly owns the team but did put a management committee to care for all the club's affairs. The committee is headed by a chairman, who is Paul Bassey at the moment.

Akwa United's stadium

During the first season in NPFL, fans disrupted the game in a match against Enyimba International, and one person died in the whole fiasco. This saw Akwa United being banned for 3 years in Using their home pitch Uyo Township Stadium at the time. It was one of the lowest moments for the entire team.

The year 2015 was a happy moment for the team, for they got a shiny new multisport facility constructed at the tune of $96 million. The facility was named Godswill Akpabio International Stadium and has a capacity of 30,000.

Akwa United FC's players

So who is in the Akwa-Ibom's winning team or The PPromise Keepers as they would like to be referred to? Below is the winning squad of the NPFL 2021, which is also the squad for the ongoing 2021/22 NPFL.

Akwa United: players, owner, stadium, coach, trophies, world rankings
Akwa United players at Abuja International Airport while en-route to Algeria ahead of the second leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round game against CR Belouizdad. Photo:@akwaunitedfc
Source: Instagram

Goalkeepers

  1. Jean Efala
  2. Bassey Akpan
  3. Adewale Adeyinka

Defenders

  1. Etboy Akpan
  2. Etim Mathew
  3. Ottobong Effiong
  4. Kodjovi Dadzie
  5. David Phillip
  6. Olisa Ndah
  7. Sampson Gbadebo
  8. Charles Okafor
  9. Ekemini Ukoebe
  10. Elu Wilson
  11. Hamisu Salaeh
  12. Oluwadamilare Ojo.

Midfielders

  1. Adam Yakubu
  2. Ubong Essien
  3. Marshal Johnson
  4. Sethi Mayi

Forwards

  1. Inemesit Akang
  2. Akarandunt Orok
  3. Abass Sadick
  4. Ubong Friday
  5. Wisdom Fernando
  6. Nicholas Godswill
  7. Charles Atshimene
  8. Nasiru Jibril
  9. Ikechukwu Nwani
  10. Samuel Amadi
  11. Aliyu Abubakar
Akwa United players
Akwa United players practising at their facility. Photo: @AkwaUnited_fc (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Akwa United FC's captain

For over four years, Otobong Effiong has been the captain of The Promise Keepers. In 2021 he was served with a suspension by the team's management over the allegations that he had incited his fellow players to protest over pay issues.

Akwa United players
Akwa United's Captain Otobong Effiong (holding the trophy) standing beside Akwa-Ibom's Governer during the 2021 NPFL winning celebrations. Photo: Akwa United
Source: Facebook

The issues have been cleared, and the defender is back on the squad as the captain. This is as per Akwa United FC's official website.

Otobong Effiong's profile summary

  • Full names: Otobong Rueben Effiong
  • Date of Birth: 23 July 1993
  • Age: 28 as of February 2022
  • Nationality: Nigerian
  • Position: Defender
  • Foot: Right
  • Jersey number: 16
  • Twitter: @Reuben98643265

Who are some of the legendary players to come off Akwa United FC?

The Promise Keepers have had their fair share of legendary players who have made a name on the national and international football scene. Some of the notable names to have played for the Akwa-Ibom stars are:

1. Vincent Enyeama

This star goalkeeper had an illustrious football career spanning over 20 years, beginning with the then Ibom Stars FC. He is revered amongst his peers and regarded as one of the greatest African goalkeepers of all time.

Akwa United players
According to Vincent Enyeama, Messi had requested to touch his hand to feel if they were human hands in this photo. Photo: @vincentenyeama001
Source: Instagram

At the peak of his career, he joined Nigeria's national football team in 2002 and served as its captain from 2013 to his retirement in 2015.

2. Mfoh Udoh

Akwa United players
Mfoh Udoh displaying his skills the day he was signing with Akwa United FC for the third time. Photo:@AkwaUnited_fc (modified by author)
Source: Twitter

This forward is regarded as a "fox in the box" type of player and is difficult to stop once in the penalty area. He holds the record for the highest number of goals scored in the NPFL in a single season.

He joined Akwa United FC fresh off the football academy and was with the team in three different seasons, making 67 appearences and 34 goals. He is currently playing for Saif Sporting Club in the Bangladeshi Premier League.

Akwa United FC's coach

Over the years, the team has seen many of its coaches come and go, but the one who has made the most impact on the team and its current coach is Kennedy Boboye.

Kennedy, a former international player himself, is credited for bringing the much needed win to The Promise Keepers.

Kennedy Boboye's Profile summary

  • Full names: Kennedy Boboye
  • Date of birth: 1 March 1978
  • Age: 43 as of 2022
  • Nationality: Nigerian
  • Current team: Akwa United
  • Star Sign: Pisces

Achievements and trophies

Despite being relegated once and finishing at the bottom of the league chart table on several occasions in its 12 seasons history, the team has managed to stay on top of its game, with both the players and the coach treating each experience as a lesson.

Below is a chart table highlighting some of its achievements

Akwa United players
Akwa United's achievements and trophies. (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Akwa United FC's Instagram and other socials

The team has a strong media support team that constantly provide updates on anything Akwa United FC. They have come to build quite a following on social media. Their official Instagram handle has over 3k followers, whereas their official Twitter account has over 21k followers as of 14 February 2022.

Having followed the Akwa United's players journey and watching its meteoric rise to the top of the league charts, one can't help but be a fan. With so much potential amongst its players, all we can say is the sky is the limit for The Promise Keepers.

READ ALSO: Which is the richest football club in Africa in 2022?

Sportbrief.com recently did an article on some of the richest football clubs in the continent, their value and source of income.

Football is a big affair in Africa, with close to 70% of its population involved, whether as a fan or player. A vast population being involved translate to big money. So which teams are the richest in Africa, and how do they make their money? To find out more on that and many more, read here!

Authors
Lewis Injai photo
Lewis Injai