By Esseh Ikora
Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has declared free gate pass to football fans in the Aiteo Confederation cup match between Akwa United Football Club and El Hilal of Sudan, which comes up on Wednesday in Uyo.
Akwa United had lost the first leg in away match – 2-0 to the Sudanese team in Khartoum.
Addressing the fans Monday, the governor said the gesture was “to spur the teeming supporters of Akwa United to overcome the 2-0 defeat they suffered in Sudan in the first leg.
He urged the fans to cash in on the opportunity and throng to the stadium for the game that would ensure the State team win the completion.
Meanwhile the 22-member El Hilal team arrived the State during the weekend with the Akwa United Manager, Abdu Maikaba believing that his team had the capacity to overturn his team’s defeat in Uyo.
“I have big respect for the team from Sudanese for its long standing experience having been established 88 years ago, but Akwa United has what it takes to overturn the earlier record,” Maikaba said.
He therefore, urged the players to be focused and imbibe the teachings from the first leg, noting that adherence to the technical plans would see the team romp to the next stage of the competition.
Bookmakers observe that Akwa United would need three goals to overturn the 2-0 defeat.