Calls for transparency in players transfer...
Fans of Akwa United Football Club of Uyo has expressed disappoinment over what it calls lack of blueprint for the state sponsored team ahead of the new season.
Speaking to journalists at the Uyo township stadium during the week, some of the fans expressed fears that the team which luckily escaped relegation last season may be heading for doom in the new campaign if club officials continue with their lakadissical attitude.
A concerned fan, Mr. Basil Ita said it was necessary for the team to put things in place after the dramatic relegation escape. The sports enthusiast said he is not sure Akwa United is ready for the new football season and called on the chairman of the club to sit up or face the wrought of fans.
Another fan, Engr. Enobong Udi said the team lacked transparency. He said they were yet to know how many players the team have sold and how many has been brought in by the management ahead of the new season which begins in less than a month. He was also of the opinion that the club should reduce its squad size to meet IP the new financial demands of the LMC which specify players to be paid a minimum of one hundred and fifty thousand naira monthly.
Also speaking, Mr. Smart Offiong called for a new management team to be constituted for a smooth takeoff “We call on the board and State's Sports Ministry to facilitate modalities and processes to set up a new management crew for the team to begin work immediately with the coaching crew."
Akwa United had last month sold top striker Mfon Udoh to rivals Enyimba FC of Aba for an undisclosed fee. The transfer of the 22 year old has raised dust from some quarters, which has lead to the management being pressurized to sign a quality striker to replace the forward.
A club source said Utibe Archibong, Ezekiel Solomon and two others have been drafted from Akwa Starlets FC into the team to join returnees Ubong Ekpai and Emem Eduok and spear the clubs' attack in the coming season. It has been rumoured that Utibe Archibong has opted out to continue with Akwa Starlets. Ubong Ekpai was away for trials in South Africa in the second half of last season, while Emem Eduok is expected to sign for the club from Dolphins of Port-Harcourt.
The source also said the club is on the verge of completing transfers for up to ten players in the coming days. Akwa United early December had appointed former First Bank FC handler, Patrick Udoh as coach ahead of veteran ‘Okey Emordi’ and other contenders.
The 2013/14 Glo Professional Football League season is set to commence after the end of CHAN 2014 holding in South Africa. Akwa United will be competing with nineteen other teams for glory. The League Management Committee of the Nigerian Football Federation had earlier in the week released guidelines for registration of teams that will compete in the Nigerian Premier League this season.
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