Akwa United F.C.

The end of the 2017–18 NPFL season marked the club's seven consecutive seasons in the Nigeria top flight since the 2011–12 NPFL

Akwa United made their second appearance on the continent but were stunned 2–1 by Hawks FC of Gambia, in the first leg of the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup preliminary tie played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Sunday, February 11, 2018.

In the second leg at the Independence Stadium, Bakau on February 21, 2018, Cyril Olisema scored a brace to hand Akwa United a 3–2 aggregate win over the Gambian club and passage to the first round.

Al-Ittihad defeated Akwa United 1–0 in the first round, first leg fixture, only for the Promise Keepers to record the same scoreline in the second leg courtesy of Aniekeme Asuquo's 46th-minute goal, to go level on aggregate, before edging the Libyan club 3–2 on penalties to qualify for the second round.

The Promise Keepers fell 2–0 to Al-Hilal in the second round, first leg, at the Al-Hilal Stadium on Sunday April 8, 2018.

However, their 3–1 win over Al-Hilal in the second round, return leg at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Sunday, April 18, 2018 courtesy of Denis Nya's first half injury-time goal and Michael Ibe's brace in the second half was not enough to take Akwa United to the group stage, as Al-Hilal's Mohammed Bashir 28' minute goal qualified the Sudanese club on away goals rule.

The Promise Keepers finished second on the 2017–18 NPFL log with 41 points from 24 matches, two points behind leaders Lobi Stars in July 2018.

The two time FA Cup Champions who were hoping to defend their 2017 Aiteo Cup crown were halted in the quarter final via penalties by Enugu Rangers at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano on Wednesday, 3 October 2018.

Michael Ibeh put Akwa United in front with a well-taken freekick in the first half, before Okey Odita drew level for Enugu Rangers, 20 minutes to the end of regulation time.

The Flying Antelopes, however prevailed 4–2 in the penalty shoot-outs.[2]

Official team photo of Akwa United for the 2018–19 NPFL

Akwa United management signed former Abia Warriors and FC Ifeanyi Ubah coach, Rafael Everton to lead the team in the abridged 2018–19 NPFL, following the departure of coach Abdullahi Maikaba to Plateau United at the conclusion of the 2017–18 season.[3]

The Brazilian tactician became the third foreigner after Cameroonian Emmanuel Deutsch and Belgian Maurice Cooreman to handle Akwa United in its 22-year-old history.

Twelve new players joined the team, including former player and Enyimba captain, Mfon Udoh, 2013 Super Eagles AFCON winner, Juwon Oshaniwa, and 2016 Federation Cup winner, Alberico Da Silva.[4]

The team lost 1–0 at home to El-Kanemi Warriors on the opening day of the league and followed up with a 1–1 draw at Kano Pillars on matchday three, being their second game of the season, after the matchday two tie against Gombe United was postponed.

They drew 2–2 at home against Plateau United on matchday four and lost 2–0 to Nasarawa United at Lafia Township stadium in a matchday five fixture.

Coach Everton side recorded their first win of the season on matchday six courtesy of a 3–0 home win over new comers, Go Round FC and went on an unbeaten run which culminated in a hard fought 2–1 victory over Heartland FC of Owerri at the Okigwe Township stadium.[5]

Akwa United ended the first round in second place on the Group B log with 19 points from 11 matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding 10.

As of 10 February 2020[6]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 1 GK Adewale Adeyinka 2 DF Olisa Ndah 3 DF Philip David 4 DF Matthew Etim 5 DF Sampson Gbadebo 6 DF Denis Nya 7 FW Ubong Friday 8 FW Saidu Salisu 9 FW Michael Ohanu 10 FW Orok Akarandut 11 FW Paul Obata 12 MF Morice Chukwu 13 FW Christian Ekong 14 MF Marshal Johnson 15 DF Wilson Elu 16 DF Otobong Effiong (Captain) 17 FW Ifeanyi Eze 18 GK Jean Efala 19 FW Ocheme Edoh

No. Position Player 21 FW Ndifreke Effiong 22 GK Bassey Akpan 23 DF Ali Chiwendu 24 MF Dare Ojo 25 FW Wisdom Fernando 26 FW Ikechukwu Nwani 27 MF Ubong Essien 28 MF Arinze Nwangwu 29 DF Etboy Akpan 30 GK Itodo Akor 31 DF Kodjovi Dadzie 32 DF Ekemini Ukoebe 33 MF Ukeme Williams 34 MF Emmanuel Charles 35 DF Godspower Igudia (Vice-captain) 37 MF Godswill Nicholas