Owerri, Imo State — July 18, 2025 —
Akabo United Football Club have boosted their grassroots football development initiative with an ambitious goal of grooming and exporting young Nigerian football talent to the international stage.
This was disclosed during a press briefing held on Friday at the club’s training ground, located at the Akabo Community Primary School Field in Ikeduru, Imo State.
Co-owned by Finnish sports enthusiast and charity worker Tiina Sinervo Nicol, Akabo United FC is steadily building a reputation as a hub for raw football talent in Nigeria.
Nicol, who holds degrees in sports management and charity studies, shared her journey from Finland to Nigeria — a path that began with an educational exchange programme and evolved into a life-changing commitment to Nigerian football.
“I came into Nigeria through a school programme from a Finnish university. Given my background in sports and charity, we started seeking teams to support at the grassroots level,” Nicol told journalists.
Now fully immersed in the local football scene, Nicol expressed her unwavering commitment to developing players who can compete on a global stage.
“These boys have potential. Rain or shine, they train hard, and all of this is being done at no cost — no one is being paid. It’s purely a passion project, and Nigeria has become my second home. I even have a house here,” she added.
Nicol revealed ongoing plans to introduce European-standard training systems to enhance player performance and visibility. However, she also issued a call for urgent support from both the government and private sector.
“To turn this into a professional-grade club, we need sponsorship and structural support. The boys deserve a platform that matches their potential. We can’t do it alone,” she emphasized.
Echoing her concerns, Head Coach Darlington Onyedikachi Arikaibe highlighted the financial struggles that have plagued the club — especially when transporting players for scouting opportunities.
“We face major challenges, especially with transportation. Getting players to tournaments in cities like Abuja, Uyo, Lagos is expensive. Sometimes we can only afford to send one or two players,” Onyedikachi lamented.
Despite these setbacks, he remains hopeful about the club’s future.
“We have a talented squad, and with the right exposure and support, we can produce stars. We’re not giving up.”
Founded in Akabo, Owerri, Akabo United FC is a grassroots club on a mission to become a pipeline for professional football careers. With a growing reputation and international backing, the club is calling on stakeholders to invest in the next generation of football talent emerging from Eastern heartland.
