We Can’t Afford To Lose Promotion To NPFL – Akwa Utd Chairman

By Patrick Titus, Uyo

Chairman of Akwa United Football Club of Uyo, Joseph Eno says that the team is skillfully and tactically bound to get back to the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).

Eno, who made the statement while interacting with sports writers in Uyo on Tuesday, emphasized that preparations to achieve the feat which started early, was in line with the mandate given to the club by the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno.

He also said that with the newly recruited players into the team, given reasonable time to play together and blend, with discipline top on the rules, in addition to better welfare of the players, the winning spirit in the club is high under his watch as chairman.

Akwa Utd which is currently top on conference B with 2 points played 9 matches, lost 2, drew 1 and won 6.

The club chairman, Eno highlighted the journey so far to making a difference. “Our journey for this season started when this current management came into office in the 3rd week of August 2025.

“As soon as we came on board, we picked the gauntlet and started work immediately. As you may be aware, 95% of old players left for greener pastures. So we started building a new team from the scratch. Recruitment of new players commenced immediately.

“By end of September, we had concluded players selection/recruitment and started full pre-season preparations.

“We played pre-season games including playing away to Enyimba of Aba, Heartland of Owerri and Rangers of Enugu.

“We had to be focused on building a brand new team and helping them to blend together within the shortest time before commencement of the league in October.

“We had to be very intentional about this and I am happy to tell you that this management provided 100% support for that purpose.

“We are happy that the rigorous preparation during pre-season has paid off during the first stanza of the league.

“After 9 matches, we lost 2, drew 1 and won 6. That leaves us 2 points clear at the top of Conference B.

“Now, let’s be clear. His Excellency the Governor has given us a clear mandate to get promoted back to where we belong – NPFL. So, we cannot afford to slip. We shall remain focused and committed to achieving promotion this league season.

“This management is big on welfare to players and staff of the club. That is why, I know you have not heard of anything like players on strike due to non-payment of salaries, match bonuses or allowances. I can promise that you will never hear of such under my watch. Not this season, not any other season while I remain in charge.

“We are equally very big on discipline. That’s why we decided from onset that ALL players must live in camp. Camp rules are strictly enforced. Defaulters are promptly and decisively punished. As you know, discipline breeds professionalism. The very reason we were well rated in terms of discipline and professionalism in the league,” Eno stated.

It would be recalled that Akwa Utd lost its position in the Nigerian Professional Football League last season to Nigeria National League (NNL) with apperantly poor performance which Eno blamed part of it to officiating.

But for the task ahead, though it would be difficult, he expressed determination to get it done to the admiration of the enthusiastic fans.