…Redeems N5million pledge for MFM win in Uyo
International Businessman Akan Udofia has promised to give Akwa United FC $20,000 if the team beats Algerian Champions, CR Belouizdad in the CAF Champions League second leg preliminary round match in Algiers.
The Chief Executive Officer of Desicon Engineering Limited made the promise while redeeming a pledge of N5million to the club, a promise he made to give the team one million for each goal scored against MFM FC in the last home match of last season played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium which the home side won 5-2.
During the presentation, Udofia commended the team’s effort last season which saw them emerge champions of the NPFL for the first time in the team’s 25 years history, adding that the team deserves every support and encouragement to do more.
“I am proud of Akwa United, much more proud to be an Akwa Ibomite. I have been following your activities online and when I saw that Akwa United needed a win or draw in their last home match of the season to win the league I decided to come up with cash incentive to encourage and motivate the boys. Your achievement epitomized the can-do spirit of an Akwa Ibom person. You have made the state proud and that’s why I identified with you, to show my little support and to encourage you to do more.”
He also congratulated the team for recording their first-ever CAF Champions League win against Algerian league Champions, CR Belouizdad in Uyo, and presented another N1million to the team. The cheque presentation event which took place at Akwa United’s camp in Uyo also saw members of the AK-Prosperity Team donating N2.2million to the team.
To encourage the team ahead of their trip to Algeria for the return leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary match, the Businessman then promised to give the team $20,000 if they beat CR Belouizdad in Algiers on Sunday September 19.
“If you go to Algeria and win, as you will be coming back, twenty thousand dollars will be waiting for you courtesy of me and my team, the prosperity group,” the business tycoon announced.
Responding on behalf of the club, the Chairman, Elder Paul Bassey expressed gratitude to Obong Akan Udofia for his kind gesture and thanked him for identifying with the team, appealing to other well-meaning Akwa Ibomites to support the effort of the state government to make the team succeed.
Recall that in 2017, Udofia offered the Super Eagles the sum of $20,000 for every goal scored in a FIFA World Cup qualifying cracker against Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions in Yaounde. The match ended 1-1 and the money promised was given to the team.
