Akwa Ibom FA announce schedule for 2023 FA Cup

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The 2023 edition of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association Cup has been shifted from Friday, March 3, to Friday, March 10, 2023, the State FA announced.

The draw held in February saw Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side and 2021 finalist, Dakkada FC taking on Vandrezzer Academy, and Nigeria National League (NNL) side, FC ONE Rockets taking on Regnant FC.

Both matches will now take place on March 10 and 13 respectively at the Godswill Akpbio International Stadium Training Pitch, Uyo.

Akwa United were given a bye as defending champions, which qualifies the team for the semi-finals of the competition alongside Vandrezzer FC which will participate for the first time in the competition.

The first semi-final will take place on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, between Akwa United and the winner of Match 1 (Dakkada FC and Vandrezzer Academy) at the Eket Sports Stadium, Eket while Vandrezzer FC will face the winner between FC ONE Rockets and Regnant FC in the second semi-final on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at the Eket Sports Stadium, Eket.

The final will now hold on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the Eket Sports Stadium. The winner of the FA Cup will represent Akwa Ibom State in the 2023 Federation Cup.

In the women’s category, Owo Itam FC will represent Akwa Ibom State in the national preliminary rounds, having been the only club to register for the competition.

The competition for the first time will have a broadcast partner with the two semi-final matches and the final to be broadcast live on SME Sportz.