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CAF Confederation Cup

Akwa Ibom promise hitch-free and fun-filled Confederation Cup final experience

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Organisers are applying final touches in some areas in Uyo ahead of Friday’s long-awaited final of Africa’s second-biggest club competition, the CAF Confederation Cup.

The showdown between South Africa’s Orlando Pirates and Morocco’s RS Berkane will be played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in the Akwa Ibom state capital, in Nigeria and will kick-off at 20h00 local time (19h00 GMT).

Uyo and Godswill Akpabio Stadium will be the first Nigerian city and stadium to host either the final of the Confederations Cup or the Champions League since Heartland hosted the latter in 2009.

Before Uyo 2022, Nigeria previously through Lagos hosted the 1975 and 1984 CAF Champions League finals, followed by Ibadan in 1988 and 1996 before Aba in 2003 and 2004, then recently Owerri in 2009 after Port Harcourt hosted the CAF Confederation Cup final in 2005.

City Presentation and Preparation

It is the first intercontinental major Cup final to be hosted in Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital and the home of Professional Football League side Akwa United.

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Following the confirmation of Uyo by CAF, the locals could not hide their joy ahead of the highly anticipated Confederation Cup final, including General Coordinator of the LOC, Paul Bassey.

“Aƙwa Ibom is glad to represent Nigeria in this regard,” Bassey, who doubles as Akwa United chairman told CAFOnline.com.

“This is a continental assignment and Akwa Ibom had to do it on behalf of Nigeria and this stadium apart from being one of the best in Africa, it’s also the best in the country.

“When CAF came to Uyo, they saw that it was fit enough to host, and it’s not only about the stadium, the Ibom Specialist Hospital is world class, then, of course, the hotels we have 5 stars. “Also the airport facility among others and then the experience because we have hosted big games before, for Uyo people, this is huge and we have that culture of coming out in a mass.”

Stadium and security

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Launched in 2014, the Godswill Akpabio Stadium is a 30000-capacity seater modelled after the Allianz Arena in Germany and has served as the home to the Nigerian Super Eagles.

It is arguably the most beautiful stadium in Nigeria situated in Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Boulevard, Uyo and notably, referred to as The Nest of Champions. The ultra-modern sports complex boasts bulletproof VIP and VVIP areas, natural grass, high-tech floodlights, a training pitch, a helipad, and collapsible seats. For security, It has 30 emergency exit points, closed-circuit security cameras, stand by firefighting equipment and metal detectors.

-Cafonline

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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CAF Confederation Cup

‘Nzogbu Nzogbu’ Enyimba enyi as Enyimba limp into Confederation Cup Group stage!

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It was not easy, but the end justified the means. Enyimba had to go through the lottery of penalty shoot-out to get into the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday in Uyo after playing a barren draw with visiting Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso.

 The first leg also ended goalless leading to penalty shoot-out as tie breaker. Enyimba won 3-2 on penalties.

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CAF Confederation Cup

CAF Confederation Cup: Enyimba target victory after Solid Showing in Bamako

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Enyimba FC head coach Yemi Olarenwaju has set his sights on securing a crucial victory in Sunday’s second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup tie against Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou.

His confidence is built on the  goalless draw in the first leg in Bamako.

“The job is far from over, and we can’t afford to celebrate yet. The return leg in Uyo will be crucial,” Olarenwaju was quoted by the club’s website as saying.

“We’ll go back to the drawing board, work harder, and prepare for the challenge ahead.”

Olarenwaju praised his team’s tactical edge and discipline, which nullified the hosts’ attacking threats. “We had a clear game plan, and the players executed it perfectly. Our tactical discipline prevented Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou from creating any meaningful scoring opportunities.”

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The Enyimba FC boss acknowledged the tough opposition but remains confident in his team’s ability to secure a win at home.

“Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou is a formidable opponent, but we have the quality and determination to get the job done in Uyo.”

As we look forward to the return leg, we urge all Enyimba FC fans to come out in their numbers and support the team at the Uyo Stadium. Let’s make our home advantage count and cheer the People’s Elephant to victory!

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CAF Confederation Cup

Enyimba’s midfielder, Daga confident of Confederation Cup group stage ticket

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Enyimba’s midfielder,  Daniel Daga, has pledged to lead club to victory against Etoile Filante in the return leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second round on Sunday.

The People’s Elephant are looking to build on their impressive performance in the first leg, which ended in a goalless draw in Bamako, Mali. Despite creating several scoring opportunities, Enyimba were unable to find the back of the net.

However, Daga remains optimistic about their chances in the return leg having missed the first leg of the encounter due to a slight knock

“Our resolve is to win and advance to the group stages,” he stated confidently. “We understand that they are a difficult opponent, but we have just one task, which is to win, and that is exactly what we are going to do.”

A win for Enyimba FC would guarantee their spot in the group stages, a feat that would make them the only Nigerian team in the competition’s group phase.

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“We know the importance of this match, and we’re ready to give it our all,” Daga added. “We want to make Nigeria proud and show that we’re a force to be reckoned with in African football.”

Head coach, Yemi Olarenwaju, has been fine-tuning his tactics, and the team is eager to execute their game plan.

“The first leg result gives us an advantage, but we won’t take anything for granted,” Olarenwaju said. “We’ll push for victory and secure our spot in the group stages.”

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