The 2020–21 season was Akwa United's 25th season in the Nigerian football league system and their 12th (non-consecutive) season in the top tier of Nigerian football.[1]
| 2020–21 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Akwa United lifting the Nigeria Professional Football League trophy | |||
| Chairman | Paul Bassey | ||
| Manager | Kennedy Boboye | ||
| Nigeria Professional Football League | 1st | ||
| Nigeria FA Cup | First round | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Charles Atshimene (19) All: Charles Atshimene (19) | ||
| Biggest win | 5-2 v MFM 1 August 2021 | ||
|
| |||
During the season, Akwa United participated in the Nigeria Professional Football League for the ninth consecutive season and the Nigeria FA Cup.[2]
They began their Nigeria Professional Football League campaign with a home tie against city rivals Dakkada, which ended goalless.[3] On 1 August 2021, they beat MFM 5-2 at Godswill Akpabio Stadium to seal the league title. It was their first-ever top-flight triumph.[4] They suffered an early exit from the Aiteo Cup, losing 1-0 to Gateway United in the First Round.[5]
Kit and sponsorship edit
Supplier: Owu Sportswear
          Home
|
2020-21 Away
|
2020-21 Third
|
    2021-22 Home
|
Competitions edit
Win Draw Loss
Overview edit
| Competition | First match | Last match | Starting round | Final position | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | |||||
| Nigeria Professional Football League | 28 December 2020 | 5 August 2021 | Matchday 1 | Winners | 38 | 19 | 14 | 5 | 53 | 24 | +29 | 50.00 |
| FA Cup | 7 July 2021 | 7 July 2021 | First round | First round | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0.00 |
| Total | 39 | 19 | 14 | 6 | 53 | 25 | +28 | 48.72 | ||||
Source: Soccerway
Nigeria Professional Football League edit
League table edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Akwa United (C) | 38 | 19 | 14 | 5 | 53 | 24 | +29 | 71 | Qualification for the Champions League |
| 2 | Rivers United | 38 | 19 | 9 | 10 | 50 | 34 | +16 | 66 | |
| 3 | Enyimba | 38 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 41 | 33 | +8 | 66 | Qualification for the Confederation Cup |
| 4 | Kwara United | 38 | 19 | 8 | 11 | 48 | 28 | +20 | 65 | |
| 5 | Nasarawa United | 38 | 20 | 5 | 13 | 55 | 38 | +17 | 65 | |
| 6 | Kano Pillars | 38 | 19 | 7 | 12 | 38 | 29 | +9 | 64 | |
| 7 | Enugu Rangers | 38 | 18 | 8 | 12 | 43 | 31 | +12 | 62 | |
| 8 | Lobi Stars | 38 | 17 | 7 | 14 | 43 | 39 | +4 | 58 | |
| 9 | Plateau United | 38 | 14 | 9 | 15 | 45 | 35 | +10 | 51 | |
| 10 | MFM | 38 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 34 | 35 | −1 | 51 | |
| 11 | Dakkada | 38 | 15 | 5 | 18 | 37 | 47 | −10 | 50 | |
| 12 | Katsina United | 38 | 14 | 7 | 17 | 35 | 42 | −7 | 49 | |
| 13 | Heartland | 38 | 13 | 9 | 16 | 43 | 50 | −7 | 48 | |
| 14 | Abia Warriors | 38 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 48 | 42 | +6 | 47 | |
| 15 | Wikki Tourists | 38 | 12 | 9 | 17 | 40 | 47 | −7 | 45 | |
| 16 | Sunshine Stars | 38 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 28 | 39 | −11 | 45 | |
| 17 | Warri Wolves | 38 | 11 | 8 | 19 | 30 | 45 | −15 | 41 | Relegation to the National League |
| 18 | Jigawa Golden Stars | 38 | 10 | 10 | 18 | 27 | 48 | −21 | 40 | |
| 19 | Ifeanyiubah | 38 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 33 | 50 | −17 | 39 | |
| 20 | Adamawa United | 38 | 5 | 10 | 23 | 20 | 55 | −35 | 25 |
Source: NPFL
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
(C) Champions
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
(C) Champions
Results summary edit
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 38 | 19 | 14 | 5 | 53 | 24 | +29 | 71 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 38 | 8 | +30 | 3 | 11 | 5 | 15 | 16 | −1 |
Last updated: 26 October 2021.
Source: Soccerstats
Matches edit
On 9 November 2020, the fixtures for the forthcoming season were announced.[6]
| 28 December 2020 1 | Akwa United | 0-0 | Dakkada FC | Uyo |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium |
| 3 January 2021 2 | Enugu Rangers | 1-0 | Akwa United | Enugu |
| 15:00 BST | Israel Abia  60' |
Report | Stadium: The Cathedral |
| 9 January 2021 3 | Akwa United | 2–1 | Abia Warriors | Uyo |
| 15:00 BST | Effiong 6' (59), pen.' |
Report | Ibukun Harrison 81' |
Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium |
| 13 January 2021 4 | Kwara United | 1–1 | Akwa United | Ilorin |
| 15:00 BST | Chinedu Nwanze 61' (pen.) |
Report | Chinedu Nwanze 68' (o.g.) |
Stadium: Kwara Stadium |
| 18 January 2021 5 | Akwa United | 1-1 | Wikki Tourists | Uyo |
| 16:00 BST | Effiong 25' |
Report | Sunday 40' |
Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium |
| 24 January 2021 6 | Heartland | 2–1 | Akwa United | Owerri |
| 15:00 BST | Nnoshiri 52' Pascal Eze 79' |
Report | Udoh 34' |
Stadium: Dan Anyiam Stadium |
| 30 January 2021 7 | Akwa United | 1–0 | Kano Pillars | Uyo |
| 15:00 BST | Effiong 29' |
Report | Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium |
| 3 February 2021 8 | Adamawa United | 0–1 | Akwa United | Gombe |
| 15:00 BST | Jibril Abubakar | Report | Udoh 58' |
Stadium: Pantami Stadium |
| 7 February 2021 9 | Akwa United | 3–0 | Katsina United | Uyo |
| 15:00 BST | Effiong 29' (76), pen.' Charles Atshimene 61' |
Report | Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium |
| 14 February 2021 10 | Nasarawa United | 2–1 | Akwa United | Lafia |
| 15:00 BST | Hassan Adamu 56' Chukwuebuka Anaekwe 90' |
Report | Effiong 63' |
Stadium: Lafia Township Stadium |
| 20 February 2021 11 | Akwa United | 1–0 | Plateau United | Uyo |
| 15:00 GMT | Charles Atshimene 53' Etboy Akpan |
Report | Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium |
| 24 February 2021 12 | Enyimba | 1–1 | Akwa United | Aba |
| 15:00 GMT | Oladapo 54' |
Report | David Philip 90+4' |
Stadium: Enyimba International Stadium |
| 28 February 2021 13 | Akwa United | 3–0 | Rivers United | Uyo |
| 15:00 GMT | Udoh 38' Charles Atshimene 51'Chukwu 89' |
Report | Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium |
| 8 March 2021 14 | Warri Wolves | 0–0 | Akwa United | Ozoro |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: Delta State Polytechnic Stadium |
| 11 April 2021 15 | Jigawa Stars | 1–1 | Akwa United | Kaduna |
| 15:00 GMT | Samuel Stone 90' (pen.) |
Report | Nasiru Jibril 89' |
Stadium: Ahmadu Bello Stadium |
| 17 March 2021 16 | Akwa United | 1–0 | FC Ifeanyi Ubah | Uyo |
| 15:00 GMT | Effiong 17' (pen.) Wilson Elu |
Report | Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium |
| 21 March 2021 17 | MFM | 1–2 | Akwa United | Lagos |
| 15:00 GMT | Paul Obata 45' |
Report | Udoh 27' Ikechukwu Nwani 53' |
Stadium: Soccer Temple |
| 28 March 2021 18 | Akwa United | 3–0 | Lobi Stars | |
| 15:00 GMT | Ikechukwu Nwani 16' Udoh 23' (45+2) |
Report | Mustapha Aliko |
| 3 April 2021 19 | Sunshine Stars | 0–0 | Akwa United | Lagos |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: Soccer Temple |
| 9 May 2021 20 | Akwa United | 2–1 | Sunshine Stars | Uyo |
| 15:00 GMT | Charles Atshimene 21' Seth Mayi 71' |
Report | Sadeeq Yusuf 35' |
Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium |
| 16 May 2021 21 | Dakkada | 0–2 | Akwa United | Uyo |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Charles Atshimene 11' (48) |
Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium |
| 24 May 2021 22 | Akwa United | 0–0 | Enugu Rangers | Uyo |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Issif | Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium |
| 27 May 2021 23 | Abia Warriors | 0–0 | Akwa United | Okigwe |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Charles Atshimene | Stadium: Okigwe Stadium |
| 30 May 2021 24 | Akwa United | 2–1 | Kwara United | Uyo |
| 19:45 GMT | Friday 38' Nasiru Jibril 69' |
Report | Wasiu Alalade 80' |
Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium |
| 6 June 2021 25 | Wikki Tourists | 2–2 | Akwa United | Bauchi |
| 15:00 GMT | Michael Stephen Gopey 33' (70) |
Report | Saidu Salisu 37' Charles Atshimene 53' |
Stadium: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium |
| 10 June 2021 26 | Akwa United | 3–1 | Heartland | Uyo |
| 12:00 GMT | Charles Atshimene 2' (24) Friday 73' |
Report | Chijioke Akuneto 45' (pen.) |
Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium |
| 14 June 2021 27 | Kano Pillars | 0–0 | Akwa United | Kano |
| 15:00 GMT | [1] | Stadium: Sani Abacha Stadium |
| 19 June 2021 28 | Akwa United | 2–0 | Adamawa United | Uyo |
| 15:00 GMT | Udoh 25' Charles Atshimene 45' |
Report | Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium |
| 27 June 2021 29 | Katsina United | 1–0 | Akwa United | Katsina |
| 15:00 GMT | Samuel Kalu 16' (pen.) |
Report | Stadium: Muhammadu Dikko Stadium |
| 1 July 2021 30 | Akwa United | 2–1 | Nasarawa United | Uyo |
| 15:00 GMT | Samuel Amadi 36' Johnson 45+1' |
Report | Hassan Adamu 77' (pen.) |
Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium |
| 4 July 20211 31 | Plateau United | 0–0 | Akwa United | Jos |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: Jos International Stadium |
| 11 July 2021 32 | Akwa United | 1–0 | Enyimba | Uyo |
| 15:00 BST | Charles Atshimene 89' (pen.) |
Report | Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium |
| 21 July 2021 33 | Rivers United | 1–1 | Akwa United | Port Harcourt |
| 15:00 BST | Bamba Bakari 87' |
Report | Charles Atshimene 53' |
Stadium: Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium |
| 21 July 2021 34 | Akwa United | 3–0 | Warri Wolves | Uyo |
| 15:00 BST | Charles Atshimene 7' (pen.), 58' Friday 25' |
Report | Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium |
| 25 July 2021 35 | Akwa United | 3–0 | Jigawa Stars | Uyo |
| 15:00 BST | Friday 45' Charles Atshimene 52'Wisdom Fernando 89' |
Report | Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium |
| 28 July 2021 36 | FC Ifeanyi Ubah | 1–1 | Akwa United | Nnewi |
| 15:00 BST | Uzochukwu Ifejiofor 87' |
Report | Friday 79' |
Stadium: FC Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium |
| 1 August 2021 37 | Akwa United | 5–2 | MFM FC | Uyo |
| 15:00 BST | Charles Atshimene 24' (85), 90' (pen.) Alimi Adebayo |
Report | Michael Mbonu 68' (pen.) Dennis Obasi 89' |
Stadium: Godswill Akpabio Stadium |
| 5 August 2021 38 | Lobi Stars | 2–1 | Akwa United | Makurdi |
| 15:00 BST | Chinonso Okonkwo 33' Austin Ogunye 45' (pen.) |
Report | Charles Atshimene 37' (pen.) |
Stadium: Aper Aku Stadium |
Nigeria FA Cup edit
Akwa United were Akwa Ibom State's sole representative in the Aiteo Cup.[7] The Uyo club suffered an early exit from the competition, as they lost to Gateway United 1-0 at the FIFA Goal Project Pitch. Ilechukwu Julius scored the only goal of the game.[8]
Transfers edit
In edit
| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2020 | CB | 
|
Charles Okafor | Ifeanyi Ubah
|
Undisclosed |
| 1 July 2020 | RW |
|
Samuel Amadi | Warri Wolves
|
Undisclosed |
| 1 July 2020 | RW / LW | 
|
Sadick Abass | Enugu Rangers
|
Undisclosed |
| 1 January 2021 | CF |
|
Charles Atshimene | Warri Wolves
|
Undisclosed |
| 24 April 2021 | RW |
|
Eko Barine | Malkiya Club
|
Undisclosed |
Total spending:
Out edit
| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 April 2021 | CM |
|
Morice Chukwu | Rivers United
|
Undisclosed[9] |
| 1 May 2021 | RW |
|
Ifeanyi Eze | Kano Pillars
|
Undisclosed[10] |
| 7 May 2021 | CF |
|
Ndifreke Effiong | Al-Ahly Benghazi
|
Undisclosed[11] |
| 26 August 2021 | CB |
|
Olisa Ndah |  Orlando Pirates
|
Undisclosed[12] |
Total incoming:
References edit
- ^ "Akwa United crowned champions as league season ended dramatically in Nigeria". Cafonline. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
- ^ "Akwa United crowned champions as league season ended dramatically in Nigeria". Cafonline. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
- ^ "Akwa United V Dakkada F.C". npfl.ng. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ "Akwa United defeat MFM to win first-ever NPFL title". The Cable. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ "How my tactics stopped Akwa United from playing – Gateway's Hakeem Busari". independent.ng. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ^ "NPFL: LMC Releases Provisional Fixture List For 2020-21 Season". Bussybuddies. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ "Fed Cup: Akwa Utd Selected To Represent Akwa Ibom". independent.ng. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ^ "How my tactics stopped Akwa United from playing – Gateway's Hakeem Busari". independent.ng. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ^ "Akwa United midfielder Morice Chukwu completes Rivers United move". Brila FM. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ "Kano Pillars target League win with 8 new signings — Official". Vanguardngr. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ "Ex-U23 Star Ndifreke Effiong Joins Libyan Club Ahli Benghazi". Completesports. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ "Pirates boost squad with foreign striker and defender". Businesslive. Retrieved 28 October 2021.