Ghana, Togo arrive for Akpabio Cup

The Under-17 team of Colts Abdarca football club, Accra, Ghana and their counterparts from Togo are in Uyo for the second edition of Akpabio Cup scheduled to kick off at the Uyo township stadium on Tuesday.

In a statement by Ben Ekpo, the publicity secretary of Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) organisers of the 9 days event, indicates that invited teams from Norway and South Africa have pulled out of the championship.

He further hinted that the next edition would attract more countries as funds would be made available for their return tickets.

“We had expected four foreign clubs at the second edition of this competition but only two of them would be participating.

Homlia of Oslo Under-17 team and Super sports Under-17 team were supposed to be part of this event but they had to pull out at the last minute due to lack of funds for their return ticket.

Tajudeen Akinyemi, the technical adviser of Holmina asked us to pay for their one way tickets as they can only afford a one way ticket for their 21-man contingent .

We cannot afford it presently and we asked them not to come.

Super Sport football club Under-17 side asked for a return ticket and we equally turned it down. The spokesman of Super Sport club Sitole Lisson is however optimistic that they will be part of it next year.

Already youths from about 24 states of the federation and Abuja have arrived the capital city of Akwa Ibom State for the kick off on Tuesday.

The capital city is in a festive mood for a 9 day football extravaganza

which promises to surpass the gains of the first edition which was won bythe hosts.

According to Ben Ekpo, the public relations officer of Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) organisers of the event, all logistics are in place for a successful competition which promises to produce future stars for national age grade teams.