Tag: CR Belouizdad

CAF Champions League: Akwa United And The Challenge of Being ‘The Promise Keepers’

by Joseph Odoekwu

September 7, 2021

For the first time since the formation of Akwa United 25 years ago, they made the delivery of "The Promise ...

For the first time since the formation of Akwa United 25 years ago, they made the delivery of "The Promise Keepers" possible when they won the Nigeria Professional Football League title in the 2020/2021 season.

Winning the NPFL title rekindled the hope and aspirations which the founders of the club had when they founded the club some years back. It also handed the club with a new challenge of furthering her ambition at the Continental level. Winning the NPFL title means becoming Nigeria's main representative at the Champions League, and this would probably afford the team an opportunity to contend with other continental champions at the CAF Champions League. The Promise Keepers have had continental exposures in 2016 and 2018, where they competed at the CAF Confederations Cup and were eliminated at the first and third round respectively. Their performance prior to qualifying for the CAF Confederations Cup then can not be compared with their recent performance where they won the title convincingly. In fact, with two more matches left to end of season, they were just Champions in waiting, a moment which the club had never experienced in life.

A Significant Debut Against A Hopeful North African Side

When Akwa United file out against CR Belouizdad of Algeria on Sunday September 12, 2021 at the Godwin Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, they will be making their debut at the CAF Champions League. Though playing at home, they will be facing an experienced Algerian side at the CAF Champions League who will be playing on a Nigerian side for the first time. CR Belouizdad are ranked 11th in the current CAF club ranking, while Akwa United 22nd. This makes the North African's hopeful, and will be looking forward to secure at least a point from the game ahead of their second-leg clash which comes up a week later on September 19th, 2021. Akwa United must be prepared to make their debut significant. A win for them means they have made a statement that they deserve to be Champions of the NPFL and that will give them the needed confidence ahead of the second-leg. It will also boost their performance in the next ranking when CAF come's up with the October ranking next month.

What Hope For The Promise Keepers

Nigerians are all behind Akwa United when they host their visitors on Sunday, and will definitely give them the massive support which they will need in the tournament. As debutant, no one will expect them to win the title, though it will not be rejected if they eventually turn things around. But at least a good performance will be expected of them. The management and team of The Promise Keepers will be looking forward to give a good account of themselves when they represent Nigeria at the Continental showpiece in this edition.

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