Akwa United got $20,000 bonanza to beat Algerian Champions, CR Belouizdad in the CAF Champions League second leg preliminary round match in Algiers Sunday.
Akwa Ibom billionaire, Mr. Akan Udofia who made the promise after redeeming a pledge of N5 million to the club for scoring five goals in their last NPFL match against MFM FC of Lagos last month.
Udofia who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Desicon Engineering Limited, had promised to give the team N1 million for each goal scored against MFM FC in the game played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
He 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,” the philanthropist said.
He also congratulated the team for winning their first CAF Champions League match, presented another N1million to the team while members of his AK-Prosperity Team donated N2.2million to the team.
To encourage the team ahead of their trip to Algeria Udofia also pledged 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.” He announced.
Responding on behalf of the club, the Chairman of the team, Paul Bassey thanked Akan Udofia for his kind gesture and for identifying with the team.
He appealed to other well-meaning Akwa Ibomites to support the effort of the state government to make the team succeed.
Udofia had in 2017 offered the Super Eagles $20,000 for every goal scored in a FIFA World Cup qualifying cracker against Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions in Yaounde.
