Spurred by the huge investments and support of Governor Udom Emmanuel, Akwa United Football Club of Uyo will aim to make history as the first winners of the maiden edition of the Aiteo Cup when they engage Niger Tornadoes of Minna in the final of the competition at the Agege stadium, today in Lagos.
The Promise Keepers won the trophy (then known as Federation Cup) in 2015 after beating Lobi Stars and will be expecting to lift it again, when they face Niger Tornadoes.
Akwa United made it to the final after defeating Halfa FC, Yobe Stars, Shooting Stars, Katsina United Feeders and Sunshine Stars, scoring a mind blowing 23 goals while conceding just six in seven matches.
Tornadoes on the other hand secured their place in the final after knocking out league Champions Plateau United in the quarter final and last year’s champions FC Ifeanyi Ubah in the semi final.
The Minna based team won the trophy in 2000.
Akwa United will go into the match as hugh favourites following their consistency and impressive form this season.
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Today’s (Sunday) final will be the third meeting between the two teams. The Promise Keepers defeated Tornadoes 3-0 in Uyo and lost 1-0 in Minna when they met in the just concluded league season.
With a continental ticket and a whopping Twenty-Five Million Naira prize money on offer, Coach Abdu Maikaba has revealed that his team will not leave any stone unturned in the epic final.
Coach Maikaba has a full strength squad to choose from for the match and he will be banking on the experience of Captain Otobong Effiong, Ariwachukwu Emmanuel, Godspower Igudia, Paterne Counou and Ubong Friday who were part of the team that lifted the trophy two years ago.
With experienced Super Eagles midfielders Ifeanyi Ifeanyi and Aremu Afeez pulling the strings in the middle of the park, Forwards Christian Pyagbara, Musa Newman, Cyril Olisema and Ubong Friday are sure to enjoy full supply of delectable passes as they gear to round off what has been a great season.
The competition’s top scorer Christian Pyagbara who has scored 7 goals in seven matches has said that his focus will be to ensure that the team achieve its target in Sunday’s final.
If Pyagbara scores on Sunday, he will be the competition’s highest goal scorer in the last three years.
Thousands of vocal supporters and fans from Akwa Ibom State are set to storm the Agege Stadium to cheer their team to victory..
The winner of the 2017 Aiteo Cup competition will join Enyimba to represent Nigeria at the CAF Confederation Cup next year.
