As the 2024–25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season approached its climax, Akwa United found themselves embroiled in a tense battle to avoid relegation. Despite a rich history and a passionate fan base, the club faced an uphill struggle to maintain their top-flight status. This article delves into the factors that led to Akwa United’s precarious position, examining the challenges they faced throughout the season and assessing their prospects for survival on the final day.
The Season So Far: A Timeline of Turmoil
Akwa United’s 2024–25 NPFL campaign was marred by inconsistency and underperformance, culminating in their relegation from the top tier of Nigerian football.
The season began with high hopes, but early results quickly dampened expectations. By December 2024, the team had secured only four victories, four draws, and suffered eight defeats in their first 16 matches, leaving them in 19th place with just 16 points. This poor run of form led to the resignation of head coach Mohammed Babaganaru following a 1-1 draw against Bendel Insurance.
In an effort to reverse their fortunes, Akwa United appointed interim coach Umar Abdullahi. Under his guidance, the team aimed to improve their away performance and overall consistency. However, challenges persisted, including a 2-1 defeat to Remo Stars in January 2025, which further complicated their survival hopes.
Despite the setbacks, Akwa United managed to secure crucial victories that kept their hopes alive. A significant 2-1 win over Enyimba on February 9, 2025, showcased the team’s resilience. Additionally, a 2-0 triumph against Shooting Stars on March 16, 2025, highlighted their potential to compete at a high level.
Ultimately, Akwa United’s efforts were insufficient to avoid relegation. They concluded the season in 19th place, joining Heartland, Sunshine Stars, and Lobi Stars in descending to the lower division.
Tactical and Psychological Shifts
When a football club is fighting to stay in the top division, every tactical decision, every training session, and every player’s mindset becomes critical. For Akwa United, the 2024–25 season exposed cracks that required urgent attention, both on and off the pitch. Let’s take a deep dive into the tactical changes the team implemented and the psychological battles they fought during this relegation scrap.
After the resignation of Mohammed Babaganaru, Umar Abdullahi stepped in as interim head coach with a clear mandate: halt the slide and salvage what remained of the season. Abdullahi’s approach marked a shift from the previous season’s instability, emphasizing a more pragmatic, defensively organized style.
One of the most noticeable tactical shifts was the focus on tightening the defensive line. Akwa United had conceded 42 goals in 26 matches — a high tally that undermined their chances. Abdullahi prioritized defensive discipline, introducing a structured back four that aimed to reduce gaps and limit counterattacks. The team also switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation in several matches, using two defensive midfielders to shield the defense and transition quickly on the break.
Away matches had been a consistent problem for the team, with Akwa United earning just 10 points on the road all season before Abdullahi took charge. His emphasis on improving the team’s mentality away from home began to bear fruit with the notable 2-0 victory over Shooting Stars — a game where the players showed cohesion, discipline, and clinical finishing.
No survival fight can succeed without standout performances. Akwa United leaned heavily on a handful of players who carried the team through difficult stretches.
Key Players
Endurance Ebedebiri, the creative midfielder, proved pivotal in linking defense to attack. His vision and passing range allowed the team to build chances more effectively, and he directly contributed to six assists during the critical phase of the season.
Uche Sebastine, the experienced forward, was a key outlet for goals. Despite limited service at times, he managed to score important goals in clutch matches, including the winner against Enyimba. His ability to hold up play and involve teammates added another dimension to Akwa United’s attack.
Defensively, goalkeeper Ndubuisi Okonkwo was a last line of resistance, pulling off vital saves to keep the scoreline respectable in multiple fixtures. His leadership in organizing the backline was frequently praised by coaches and analysts.
Beyond tactics and talent, surviving relegation is a psychological test. Players face immense pressure — the fear of failure, the anxiety of dwindling fan support, and the looming consequences of dropping out of the NPFL.
Akwa United’s squad struggled with inconsistency partly because of fluctuating morale. Following string of losses, reports indicated a drop in confidence, with some players visibly affected during matches.
Coach Abdullahi worked with the club’s sports psychologists to bolster mental strength. Training sessions incorporated psychological resilience drills, and the coaching staff focused on maintaining a positive, “one game at a time” mindset.
The team’s capacity to bounce back after defeats, such as the win against Shooting Stars following a demoralizing loss to Remo Stars, demonstrated the growing mental fortitude that could be the difference-maker in relegation battles.
This tactical reshaping and psychological hardening defined Akwa United’s fight, but ultimately, their fate would rest on the final matchday. Next, we will examine the scenarios that awaited them and the stakes involved as they prepared for their last stand.
The Final Hurdle: Last-Day Scenarios
As the 2024–25 NPFL season neared its conclusion, the tension surrounding Akwa United was palpable. The team’s fate rested on the final matchday, where every goal, every point, and every outcome from rival clubs would determine whether they stayed afloat or plunged into relegation. Let’s break down the precise situation and the scenarios that unfolded on this decisive day.
Heading into the last match, Akwa United occupied 19th place out of 20 teams, with 28 points from 27 matches. The team was only one point behind Sunshine Stars, who were in 18th place and just above the relegation zone. Their goal difference was -15, slightly better than Sunshine Stars’ -17, making the final day’s goal margins critical.
This tight margin meant survival depended not only on Akwa United securing a positive result but also on how Sunshine Stars and Heartland (in 17th) performed. The margins for error were minimal.
Here are the critical scenarios Akwa United faced:
Win Their Match
A victory would give Akwa United 31 points, making survival almost certain unless Sunshine Stars and Heartland achieved wins by large goal margins to leapfrog them on goal difference.
Draw Their Match
A draw would bring them to 29 points, and their fate would then depend heavily on Sunshine Stars’ and Heartland’s results. If either rival won, Akwa United risked relegation.
Lose Their Match
This scenario virtually guaranteed relegation, especially if Sunshine Stars and Heartland gained any points.
Akwa United’s final match was against a mid-table side, Kano Pillars, a team that had no relegation worries but played with pride. Kano Pillars had a reputation for tough, disciplined play, and the match was expected to be a challenging test.
Sunshine Stars, on the other hand, faced Rivers United, a top-four team aiming for continental qualification. While Rivers had little incentive to soften their approach, the unpredictability of football meant no result could be taken for granted.
As kickoff neared, Akwa United’s players, staff, and fans braced for a day of high drama, understanding that the entire season’s work hinged on this final hurdle.
