The former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles defender replaces Ubong Essien, who has joined Katsina United, as Akwa United target an immediate return to the NPFL.
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Akwa United have named defender Charles Etim as their new captain ahead of the 2026/27 Nigeria National League (NNL) season. The club announced the decision on Wednesday, November 4, just days before the Promise Keepers begin their campaign.
Etim is a former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles defender. He served as an assistant captain last season, and he now takes over the armband and leads the team’s leadership group.
He replaces Ubong Essien, who has joined Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Katsina United. Essien spent years at Akwa United after arriving from Welcome Time Academy in Kano in 2018, and he made more than 160 NPFL appearances for the club.
The Leadership Group
Etim will not carry the responsibility alone. Three other players will support him, starting with Flying Eagles defender Somto Nnoli.
The others are Paulinus Okon, who was the 2025/26 Akwa United/Ibom Air Player of the Season, and goalkeeper Okechukwu Johnson. Etim has already been recognised at the club, as he shared the Ibom Air/Akwa United award for November 2025 with Erikan Francis. Readers who follow the NNL can read about the Bet9ja welcome bonus offer before the new season.
Promotion Push
The captaincy comes with high expectations, because Akwa United dropped out of the NPFL after the 2024/25 season. Coach Paul Offor took charge in August 2025 and guided the team to the top of Conference B by the halfway point last term, but the club did not win promotion.
Four clubs went up from the NNL last season: Doma United, Inter Lagos, Sporting Lagos and Ranchers Bees. Akwa United will want to join that list this time, and Offor has strengthened the squad with new signings ahead of the campaign. Fans following the second tier can check the YOHAIG promo for Bet9ja customers as the season gets going.
The new season starts on Sunday, November 8, when Akwa United host Ekiti United at the Uyo Township Stadium. Kick-off is at 4pm.
Losing a long serving figure like Essien is a challenge, but giving the armband to a defender could bring some stability at the back. A strong start in Uyo would also help to settle a squad with several new faces.
For Etim, the job is simple. He must lead by example, and he must help a team full of ambition to turn that into wins from the very first game.
Anyone keeping up with the lower leagues can look at Bet9ja’s current offer for football fans before the opening weekend.
📌 Did You Know?
- Etim shared the Ibom Air/Akwa United award for November 2025 with Erikan Francis.
- Ubong Essien made his NPFL debut for Akwa United in a 2-1 win over Enyimba on May 30, 2018.
- Essien’s move to Katsina United was completed on August 24, and his contract runs until June 2028.
- Coach Paul Offor has also managed Sporting Lagos and Kano Pillars.
- Akwa United are nicknamed the Promise Keepers.
