Dakkada FC pull out of league over NNL decision not to put them in same group with Akwa United

Dakkada FC of Uyo has officially withdrawn from the 2024/2025 Nigeria National League (NNL) season following a disagreement with the League Board over their conference placement.

According to information obtained from a reliable source within the NNL Secretariat, the club tendered a formal letter to the League body notifying them of their decision to pull out after the Board refused their request to be placed in the same conference as Akwa United.

“The team wrote to us informing that they now have new management under private ownership, which was not an issue for us,” the source said. “However, they insisted on playing in Conference B, where Akwa United and other teams are grouped. This request was rejected in order to maintain the integrity of the League. Their refusal to accept this led to their decision to withdraw. The League Management has accepted their decision to pull out because we don’t want anything that will rubbish the league,” the source, who preferred to remain anonymous, added.

Dakkada FC, formerly known as Akwa Comets, served as the junior team to Akwa United before gaining promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in the 2016 season, at which point they adopted the name Dakkada FC. The club was relegated to the NNL after the 2021/2022 season.

For the current campaign, Dakkada FC were scheduled to open their season away against Beyond Limit FA in Ikenne before their withdrawal.

The NNL Board is expected to make an official statement in the coming days regarding the club’s withdrawal and possible sanctions or adjustments to the league fixtures.