Akwa United win first NPFL title in 25 years

 

By Taofeek Babalola

 

Akwa United FC of Uyo have been crowned the 2020-21 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions after defeating Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) FC of Lagos 5-2 in the matchday 37 encounter at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Sunday.

The Promise Keepers, who gained promotion to the NPFL at the end of the 2010/11 Nigeria National League (NNL) season, clinched their first NPFL title since the club was founded 25 years ago.

Akwa United becomes the 20th club to win the Nigerian League and they will play in the CAF Champions League for the first time in their history.

Akwa United got off to a fine start at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium as Charles Atshimene netted hat-trick to take his season’s goals tally to 18 as joint top scorer with Nasarawa United forward Silas Nwankwo while Alimi Adebayo and Mfon Udoh scored one goal each to the delight of cheering fans at the stadium. However, Michael Mbonu and Dennis Obasi scored each to reduce the deficit for the MFM.

Atshimene became the first Akwa United player to score 18 league goals in a single season in the NPFL.

Before Sunday game, the Uyo-based outfit needed just one point in their last two games to win their first league title but coach Kennedy Boboye tutored side did it in style by picking maximum three points to seal the title, 71 points with a game to spare.

This season, Akwa United set a new record with their 18-match unbeaten run, surpassing Enyimba (in 2005) and Kano Pillars (in 2019/20) 13-match unbeaten sequence.

Coach Boboye also wrote his name in the NPFL history book by winning his second league title with Akwa United. The ex-international won his first career title at Plateau United in 2016/17 season, it was also Plateau United first league title.

Akwa Utd finished 4th in 2016/2017 season with their highest NPFL points in decades (60).

In 2015 season, Akwa United won their first major title, the Aiteo Cup title in Lagos, The defeated Lobi Stars 2-1 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium. The same season, they finished 15th in the league, surviving with just two points.

They won their second Aiteo Cup title in Lagos via penalties shootout against Niger Tornadoes in 2017 at the Agege Stadium, Lagos.