Nigeria Professional Football League champions, Akwa United Football Club scooped the highest number of awards at the 2021 Aiteo/NFF annual award ceremony held to celebrate excellence and outstanding performances by Nigerian clubs, coaches and players in the just concluded football season.
The annual event which took place at the magnificent Eko Hotels in Lagos saw Akwa United named the Best Nigerian Football Club of the Year. Joint-top scorer, Charles Atshimene shares the honour with Silas Nwankwo of Nasarawa United as Best Domestic Player of the Year while Kennedy Boboye was voted Best Coach of the Year.
The “Promise Keepers” were crowned. NPFL Champions after accumulating 71 points from 38 games comprising 19 victories 14 draws with five losses.
It was their first league title in the 25-year history of the club. Also in the 2020/2021 season, Akwa United set new records in the league including going 18 matches undefeated, losing the least number of matches in a single season while goalkeeper, Adewale Adeyinka kept a record 16 clean sheets in 27 matches, the highest by any goalkeeper in the history of the NPFL in a single season.
Striker Charles Atshimene netted 19 goals in 27 matches in his first season with Akwa United to emerge joint-top scorer in the league alongside Silas Nwankwo of Nasarawa United who also scored 19 goals.
Coach Kennedy Boboye guided the two-time Federation Cup champions to their first-ever league title. It was Boboye’s second league title as a coach following success with Plateau United in 2017.
Reacting to the club’s achievement, the Chairman, Elder Paul Bassey congratulated his players and officials for their determination, dedication and hard work. He described the success of the team as God’s divine blessing and dedicated the awards to Governor Udom Emmanuel whom he described as the club’s pillar of support.
“We are indeed humbled that our little efforts have been recognized and rewarded in such a big and glamorous occasion like the Aiteo/NFF Award.
“The achievements and successes we recorded in the just concluded football season could not have been possible if God was not with us, so we return all glory to God.
“On behalf of the club, I want to dedicate these awards to our sports-loving governor, His Excellency, Deacon Udom Emmanuel who is our number one fan and supporter and above all, our pillar of support and encouragement. We also want to express our gratitude to the honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Ebong Uko, for standing by us and all the fans of Akwa United. We are indeed grateful for all your support which brought us this success”, said excited Paul Bassey
