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

12 Mamelodi Sundowns FC (South Africa) 1511

13 Dynamos F.C. (Zimbabwe) 1506

14 Coton Sport FC de Garoua - Officiel (Cameroon) 1498

15  Raja Casablanca RCA (Morocco) 1491

16  Stade Malien Bamako (Mali) 1490

17 Recreativo do Libolo (Angola) 1472

18 Djoliba AC (Mali) 1463

19 Orlando Pirates FC (South Africa) 1458

20 Bidvest Wits (South Africa) 1455

21 USM Alger (Algeria) 1452

22 Al Masry (Egypt) 1451

23 Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa) 1450

24 Motema Pembe (Congo DR) 1448

25 Enyimba (Nigeria) 1447

26 Club Africain (Tunisia) 1447

27 Atletico Petro Luanda (Angola) 1443

28 ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast) 1440

29 Highlanders (Zimbabwe) 1426

30 ES Sétif (Algeria) 1425

31 Asante Kotoko SC (Ghana) 1423

32 Saint-Eloi Lupopo (Congo DR) 1419

33 Kano Pillars (Nigeria) 1419

34 Olympique de Bamako (Mali) 1419

35 UMS de Loum (Cameroon) 1418

36 AS Réal Bamako (Mali) 1415

37 Kabuscorp SCP (Angola) 1413

38 FUS Rabat Morocco 1412

39 Gunners (Zimbabwe) 1411

40 Difaâ El Jadida (Morocco) 1411

41 JS Saoura (Algeria) 1411

42 Enugu Rangers (Nigeria) 1409

43 ZESCO United (Zambia) 1408

44 Ismaily SC (Egypt) 1405

45 JS Kabylie (Algeria) 1404

46 FC Platinum (Zimbabwe) 1403

47 Ashanti Gold (Ghana) 1402

48 Akwa United (Nigeria) 1401

49 Chicken Inn FC (Zimbabwe) 1398

50 Lobi Stars (Nigeria) 1397

*Photo shows Governor Udom Emmanuel

Source Daily Sports

Posted September 9, 2019

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