Charity Shield: NPFL Champions Enyimba Set To Take On Federation Cup Winner Awka United

The League is about to start as NPFL champions Enyimba will on Wednesday face Federation Cup holders Akwa United in the annual Charity Shield match at the Abuja National Stadium. The Charity Cup is just the same with the English Community Shield.

Akwa United are brimming with immense confidence following a run of marvelous results, including beating better–fancied Lobi Stars to win the Federation Cup and conquering fellow continental campaigners (Enyimba FC, Warri Wolves and Nasarawa in two rounds of the Super Four organised by the League Management Company.

CAF Confederation Cup: Akwa United Shoot Down Vita Club Mokanda

Nigeria's representative in the CAF Confederation Cup and the FA Cup winner Awka United has began the campaign with a win after shooting down Vita Club Mokanda on Saturday in a preliminary round first leg game.

This is Akwa United's maiden appearance on the continent and they have started well on away soil.

Returnee striker Ubong Ekpai scored the only goal of the game in the 37th minute.

Super 4: Abdulaziz Awakan Scores Late Goal To Defeat Nasarawa

Super substitute Abdulaziz Awakan was the stoppage time match winner for Akwa United as they stopped Nasarawa United in the opening game of the Uyo leg of the pre-season Super 4.

Akwa United moved to the top of the standings with seven points from four matches, while Nasarawa remain on five points.

Three minutes into stoppage time, Kufre Ebong drove through the Nasarawa defence, before he picked out Awaken inside the box to stab home for the only goal of the game.

Federation Cup: Akwa United Wins First Nigerian Trophy

Akwa United refused to disappoint their fans and Governor who recently poured millions of naira on the team in a bid to win the federation cup. Akwa defeated Lobi stars 2-1 to win their first ever Nigerian domestic trophy at the Teslim Balogun stadium in Lagos... Congrats..

Akwa United claimed their first-ever domestic title in Nigeria following their 2-1 win over Lobi Stars in the Federation Cup final on Sunday.

Nnamso Edo and Abdulafeez Awakan put the Promise Keepers two goals ahead before substitute Nanen Barnabas Imenger scored a late goal for Lobi.

Federation Cup Final: Akwa United vs Lobi Stars Preview

Lagos will host the Federation cup final today has Akwa United will struggle it out with Lobi Stars. The two clubs finished the league with 2 points above the relegation zone with Akwa beating Lobi recently to stay out of relegation.

The last six editions of the Federation Cup final have had Enyimba play in five. The only time they missed out was in 2012 when Lobi Stars played in the final and lost to Heartland 1-2.

This year, the traditional clubs take the backseat as Lobi Stars are back in the final for the first time in three years, and there is a new entrant in Akwa United. The match is live on SuperSport 9 and Select from 3pm this Sunday.

The two finalists, Akwa United and Lobi Stars, bring to memory the 2008 final between Ocean Boys and Gombe United. The two finalists of the 2008 edition finished outside of the top-nine. However, this season Akwa United and Lobi Stars had to battle till the last day to survive relegation and then came head-to-head in the final match day at the Nest of Champions.

NPFL: Enyimba Goalie Femi Thomas Furious After Dropping Point Against Akwa United

Enyimba goalkeeper Femi Thomas has told AfricanFootball.com his side deserved to beat hosts Akwa United on Wednesday in a Week 21 game of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

He said the 2-2 draw is not the true reflection of the play but admits a point is better than nothing.
The result also meant Enyimba lost the leadership of the Nigeria league to closest rivals Sunshine Stars.

"It was a good game for both sides, but in my opinion, we deserved to win the game,” Thomas told AfricanFootball.com