A well-travelled forward with stops across half a dozen Nigerian clubs has found a new home at El-Kanemi Warriors, reuniting with a coach who knows his game well.
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El-Kanemi Warriors have strengthened their attack with the signing of experienced forward Utibe Arit Archibong ahead of the new season.
Archibong spent the second half of last season with Godswill Akpabio United FC, where he added experience and quality to the team’s attack. He has previously turned out for several Nigerian clubs, including Akwa United, Dakkada FC, Rovers FC, Shooting Stars, Lobi Stars and Abia Warriors, giving him a wealth of NPFL and NNL experience to bring to the Maiduguri-based club.
A Reunion With A Familiar Coach
The move reunites Archibong with head coach Emmanuel King, who knows the player well from previous spells together and is expected to make good use of his experience as El-Kanemi build their squad for a demanding campaign.
A Season With Continental And Promotion Ambitions
El-Kanemi Warriors are preparing for a busy campaign that includes the CAF Confederation Cup, where they face Guinea-Bissau’s UDIB in the first preliminary round, alongside a push for promotion back to the NPFL. The club, now working under newly appointed CAF A Licence holder Emmanuel King, are currently in Jos, Plateau State, for the NFF Super Six tournament, a competition designed to give Nigeria’s continental representatives quality preparation ahead of their CAF campaigns. El-Kanemi confirmed their safe arrival in Jos and said they are now fully focused on preparations, having also strengthened their squad with several other experienced additions as King builds his side.
📌 Did You Know?
- El-Kanemi Warriors qualified for this season’s CAF Confederation Cup by winning the President Federation Cup, Nigeria’s oldest domestic cup competition.
- The NFF Super Six tournament in Jos is specifically designed to sharpen Nigeria’s CAF-bound clubs before their continental preliminary rounds begin.
- Archibong’s spells at both NPFL and NNL clubs give him experience across two tiers of the Nigerian football pyramid, valuable depth for a club chasing promotion.
- El-Kanemi Warriors are based in Maiduguri, Borno State, and are one of the most historic clubs in northern Nigerian football.
- Should El-Kanemi progress past UDIB in the Confederation Cup, they would face a tough second-round tie against Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca.
