Akwa United threaten to pull out of Aiteo Cup over fixture congestion

By Amaechi Agbo

Former Champions of the country’s oldest tournament, Akwa United have threatened to pull out of the competition over fixture congestions.
Chairman of the club, Elder Paul Bassey dropped the hint after the Akwa Ibom state side progressed to the Round of 16 where, if they progress further, they are expected to play three matches in a week.
Speaking after his team qualified for round 32, the Chairman who was far from elated about the win said condemned the fixture congestion describing it as “suffocating.”
“Let’s not be suffocated in this country. People should run football well. I have just been told that I am playing on Wednesday and that if I win on Wednesday, I play on Sunday that after Sunday I play on Wednesday. Please I don’t know what fine or punishment I will have for pulling out of the tournament because I’m thinking of doing just that,” Scorenigeria quoted him.
He added “I can’t leave Lagos, come here and play on Saturday, told to wait till on Wednesday because we are going to play in a yet to be determined venue and after that play on Sunday. Where are the resources? What of the wear and tear in the players? That is my view really”.
On the deadline for the submission of the list of the Aiteo cup winners he retorted, “is it my fault? Why should I be punished for something I know nothing about? Why did they wait this long? Some of these teams played when we were playing in the Super Six. Why did they wait? I am asking you. Playing on Wednesday, Sunday, Wednesday, Sunday, five matches to go and I have to finish by June ending or first week of July. Is it possible, Please?!”.
It would be recalled that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had given the end of this month as deadline for the submission of the list of representatives for the Continental competitions and the NFF is trying to beat that deadline.
Akwa United won the Aiteo Cup in 2017