Akwa United Football Club of Uyo on Sunday in Lagos carted home N10 million after defeating Niger Tornadoes to win the Federation Cup, in a match watched by eminent personalities.
The club beat Tornadoes FC 3-2 on penalty kicks to win the AITEO Cup competition,with the Niger team going home with N5 million.
Akwa United won the former Federation Cup competition after the pulsating encounter at the Agege Stadium ended goalless at full time.
The Uyo side had won the Federation Cup in 2015 and reclaimed Nigeria’s oldest and biggest domestic competition after the ensuing penalty shootout went into sudden death.
Scoreline after five penalty kicks was 2-2, with each side missing three kicks each.
Niger Tornadoes missed their opening kick in the sudden death phase. Gabriel Okechukwu gave Akwa United smile by being perfect with a left foot shot down the middle.
The competition’s final match ended with a colourful closing ceremony which was graced by eminent personalities, including Governors Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom and Abubakar Bello of Niger.
Also present at the match were CAF President Ahmad, CAF Vice Presidents Kwesi Nyantakyi and Omari Selemani, CAF Emergency Committee members Souleman Waberi and Amaju Pinnick.
The victory also handed Akwa United the ticket to represent Nigeria in the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup competition.
Akwa United also swept the individual honours as goalkeeper Ojo Olorunleke won both the Best Goalkeeper and Most Valuable Player awards, while coach Abdul Maikaba was adjudged the Best Coach.
Akwa United forward Christian Pyagbara also claimed the Top Scorer award with his seven goals in this year’s competition.
In June 2017, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) entered a five-year deal with AITEO Group for the naming of the competition.
The deal will have the winners and runnerup get ₦10,000,000 and ₦5,000,000 respectively
NAN
