Akwa United, Sporting Lagos Unveiled As Naija Super 8 Wildcards, Get Tough Group Draws

• Akwa United and Sporting Lagos have been unveiled as the two Naija Super 8 Wildcards
• Draws for the tournament were conducted by Victor Ikpeba and Okon Ini-Obong
• The tournament runners-up will earn N9 million, while the winners will go home with N25 million

Akwa United and Sporting Lagos have been named as wildcards for the Naija Super 8 finals, to be held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos from July 7-16.

The two wildcard entrants were announced during the Naija Super 8 draws, broadcast live on SuperSport on Wednesday night.

The draws were conducted by Super Eagles legend, Victor Ikpeba and scorer of the best goal at the just-concluded Naija Super 8 play-offs, Okon Ini-Obong.

Sporting Lagos were drawn with current Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions, Enyimba, Remo Stars, and Katsina United in group A, while Akwa United will slug it out with 2022 NPFL champions Rivers United, North-East representative Yobe Desert Stars, and Lobi Stars from the North-Central in Group B, The Nation reports.

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Each of the teams will be mentored at the tournament by Super Eagles and NPFL legends Victor Ikpeba, Ike Shorunmu, Julius Aghahowa, Tijani Babangida, Mutiu Adepoju, Victor Ezeji, Jonathan Akpoborie, and Garba Lawal.

The top two teams in each group will go into the semi-finals, with the winners proceeding to the final. Clubs will earn N3 million per match at the group stage, with semi-finalists also earning an additional N3 million for qualifying. The runners-up will earn N9 million, while the winners will go home with N25 million.

How Kano Pillars missed out

Sports Brief also reported on Katsina United defeating Kano Pillars 1-0 in the Naija Super 8 qualifiers at the Eket Township Stadium in Akwa Ibom State.

It was a fight to the finish on the day of the game, with Samson Olasofo scoring the lone goal to give his side all three points against the Sai Masu Gida.

The crucial goal for Katsina United came six minutes before regulation time concluded after the forward tucked the ball into the net from close range.