Following their selection as one of the wild card teams by the organizers of the Naija Super 8 tournament, Akwa United departed Uyo Thursday morning for Lagos to participate in the maiden edition of the competition scheduled to take place at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan stadium in Lagos.
Head Coach Fatai Osho and his team of technical officials have named last season’s hit-men for the club Cyril Olisema and Uche Collins in the 23-man squad comprising three goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders and five strikers for the tournament.
The Promise Keepers are in Group B and will kick-start their campaign on Saturday July 8 against Yobe Stars by 2pm, and will face Rivers United on Monday July 10 by 4:30pm while their last group game will be played on Wednesday July 12 against Lobi Stars by 2pm at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
Teams in Group A are; current NPFL champions Enyimba International, Remo Stars, and two newly promoted NPFL teams Katsina United and Sporting Lagos FC.
For coach Fatai Osho this will be a Herculean challenge after less than one week in charge of the club that has just resumed from end of season break, having failed to be part of the Super Six championship playoffs ( by goals difference) and was not involved in the Super 8 Elimination in Eket.
The tested gaffer told Akwa Utd media “ No room for excuses. Akwa Utd is a brand and we must go to Lagos to defend our badge”.
From the draws conducted by the organizers of the competition, Flykite productions, the top two teams in group A and B will face each other in the semi final stage and the semi final winners will square up against each other in the final on Sunday July 16 in which the champions will receive a trophy and a cash prize of Twenty-five million naira.
There will be live updates of all Akwa United games on all the club’s social media platforms throughout the tournament which will also be broadcast live on SuperSport.
