Following his election as Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association (FA), Mr. Samuel Umoh has been actively involved in supporting teams in the South-South State.
Akwa Ibom State FA Chairman, Mr Samuel Umoh presenting an award to Akwa United FC forward Sani Suleiman before a recent NPFL game.
From his support for FC ONE Rockets in their FA Cup round-64 win to visiting and donating support items to Nationwide League One teams during the recently concluded regular season in Calabar, to rallying support for Dakkada FC and Vandrezzer FC in their battle for safety in the Nigeria National League (NNL).
On Saturday, May 11, 2024, Dakkada FC and Vandrezzer FC secured stunning away victories to retain their NNL spots amidst a tight survival race that saw South-West teams Ekiti United, Abeokuta Stormers, and 1472 FC heading down to the third tier.
Immediately after the NNL group B1 final day games on Saturday, a delighted Akwa Ibom State Football Association (FA) Chairman, Mr. Samuel Umoh, took to social media with a message of congratulations for Dakkada FC and Vandrezzer FC.
Umoh wrote on a stakeholders WhatsApp group: “Congratulations to Vandrezzer and Dakkada FC. Both teams are safe. Let’s join hands tomorrow and support FC ONE Rocket, and after that, Akwa United. It can only get better.”
On Saturday evening, Coach Emmanuel King’s tutored Dakkada FC needed at least a point to secure safety but gallantly secured a 1-2 comeback win, with teen sensation Donald Godwin bagging a brace to keep the Chosen Ones in the second tier.
This result confirmed that 1472 FC finished as the bottom side in group B1 of the 2023/2024 NNL season and will head down to the Nationwide League after a failed debut season.
Ekiti United FC were held to a 0-0 draw by Abia Comets in Umuahia, sealing their drop as they finished the season in 11th place with 24 points.
In Ogun State, Abeokuta Stormers walked over Calabar Rovers, but that was not enough to secure their spot in the NNL. Vandrezzer FC’s 2-3 away win over Coal City FC of Enugu meant the Lions finished with 26 points, one more than the Stormers, who last season played in the promotion playoff.
Meanwhile, an eventful 2023/2024 season for Akwa Ibom State-based teams continues with FC ONE Rocket (NNL) and Akwa United FC (NPFL) still battling for safety in their respective divisions.
For the Rockets, a must-win final day fixture beckons on Sunday, May 12, 2024, against Crown FC, while Akwa United FC have six games to save their season.
READ MORE: Samuel Umoh led Football Association Board supports NLO clubs, organisers in Calabar Centre
