The football loving people of Akwa Ibom State are currently struck with anxiety over their respective Local Government Area’s chances of qualifying from the 2023 Governor’s Cup preliminary round.
As at Tuesday, October 17, 2023, only three teams have been booked their places for the Super-12 playoff round of the competition.
WHICH TEAM HAS QUALIFIED: Obot Akara Local Government Area secured their place in the Super-12 with a 1-0 win over Essien Udim Local Government Area at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium on Tuesday, October 17.
That win took their tally to an unassailable twenty points at the top of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District table with a game to spare and five points clear of second placed Ikot Ekpene.
Uyo and Nsit Ubuim are tied on 15-points in first and second place in Uyo Senatorial District.
As it stands, both teams are mathematically through to the next round with a game to spare.
SUPER 12 PERMUTATIONS AS AT OCTOBER 17: As earlier announced, four teams will emerge from the three Senatorial Districts to participate in a Super 12 playoffs.
As at Tuesday , October 17 in Uyo Senatorial District, Uyo and Nsit Ubuim are tied on 15-points in first and second place and will make the top-four regardless of the results from the remaining matches.
Third place Uruan and fifth placed Itu Local Government Area have played a game less and so will lock horns on Thursday in a clash that will make or stretch their qualification hopes.
Ibiono Ibom (4th) and Nsit Atai (6th) are the other teams with a chance of qualifying from the Senatorial District.
In Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Obot Akara Local Government Area confirmed as group leaders and so have their spot in the Super 12 sealed.
Second placed Ikot Ekpene have picked 15-points and are poised to reach the next round except they suffer a heavy defeat in their last game vs Essien Udim and Etim Ekpo secures a healthy score win vs Obot Akara to wipe Ikot Ekpene’s +10 goal difference.
4th placed Ikono Local Government Area will secure a Super 12 spot if they defeat Ini Local Government Area on Thursday to make their last game a formality.
Essien Udim, Abak and Oruk Anam are the other teams with a chance of qualifying for the next round.
Eket Senatorial District holds an even more keen race for qualification. Here, nine teams still hold mathematically chances of securing the four available spots.
Ibeno and Onna Local Government Area in first and second place with 19-points, while Urue Offong Oruko (17pts, 3rd), Ikot Abasi (16pts, 4th), Eket (14pts, 5th), Mbo (13pts, 6th), Udung Uko (11pts, 7th), Oron and Mkpat Enin (10pts, 8th and 9th) are in contention for four Super 12 spots.
WHEN WILL PRELIMINARY ROUND MATCHES BE COMPLETED: According to the fixtures, preliminary round matches of the 2023 Akwa Ibom State Governor’s Cup will be completed on October 21.
FIXTURES FOR OCTOBER 18: Eket Vs Ikot Abasi (10am). Ibeno Vs Esit Eket (12pm). Both matches will take place at the Uyo Township Stadium.
