African Club Rankings: Paul Bassey Credits Gov. Udom Emmanuel with Akwa Utd’s Giant Strides in Africa News

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African Club Rankings: Paul Bassey Credits Gov. Udom Emmanuel with Akwa Utd’s Giant Strides in Africa

By Daily Sports on September 9, 2019

Less than five years into the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel as the state’s helmsman, Akwa United have made giant strides as one of the best clubs in the continent of Africa.

According to the latest rankings of African clubs released by African football ruling body, Confederation of African Football (CAF), Akwa United polled a total of 1401 points to rise from their previous 94th position in Africa to 48th – ranking among the continent’s Top Best 50 Football Clubs.

By these rankings, Akwa United, who are neither challenging in the CAF Confederations Cup nor the CAF Champions League this year, are the fourth best team in Nigeria, trailing Enyimba (25th), Kano Pillars (33rd) and Rangers (42nd).

Reacting to the latest club ratings, the Chairman of Akwa United, Elder Paul Bassey, said in Uyo, yesterday, that he was pleasantly shocked to hear that Akwa United were one of the best clubs in Africa and fourth best in the country.

“Governor Emmanuel deserves a standing ovation for this shocking but deserved accolade”, he said.

According to Elder Bassey, “All the Nigerian Clubs ranked above Akwa United have since been in African football business long before Akwa United came into existence.

“Before were not a club to reckon with even in Nigeria until Governor Udom Emmanuel came to turn the club’s fortunes around.

“There is no doubt that Akwa United are the most improved team in Nigeria in the last four years; taking the domestic league by storm and justifying its latest African rating with only two continental outings to date – both of which were berthed by the present state administration.

“I owe His Excellency a debt of gratitude for providing an enabling environment for us to operate and excel.”

The versatile sports administrator, FIFA and CAF Match Commissioner, CAF General Coordinator and CAF Instructor on Club Licensing, also appreciated the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Uko, whose “support has been invaluable”.

He said the Mr. Uko has shown a great managerial artistry in both adequately interpreting and keeping pace with the vast demands of the Governor in the area of sports.

AFRICA’S TOP 50 BEST FOOTBALL CLUBS

1 Esperance Sportive De Tunis (Tunisia) 1621

2 Al Ahly SC (Egypt) 1617

3 TP Mazembe (Congo DR) 1578

4 Al-Merreikh (Sudan) 1555

5 Etoile Sportif du Sahel (Tunisia) 1554

6 Vita Club (Congo DR) 1541

7 Al Hilal (Sudan) 1539

8 Wydad Casablanca (Morocco) 1527

9 El Zamalek (Egypt) 1521

10 1º De Agosto (Angola) 1518

11 CS SFAXIEN (Tunisia) 1515