AKUNETO RECEIVES EUNISELL BOOT AWARD

By Ohiole Edobun: sportbusinessbrand Staff

Former Rivers United forward, Chijioke Akuneto, on Wednesday received
the prestigious Eunisell Boot Award for the highest goal scorer in the
Nigeria Professional Football League sponsored by West Africa’s
largest independent chemical as well as oil and gas engineering
solutions company, Eunisell.

Akuneto scored 19 goals to beat other contenders to the award last season.

The Eunisell Boot was instituted by the company in 2018 to celebrate
players in the domestic league and boost the involvement of corporate
Nigeria in the growth of the domestic league.

Former Kano Pillars forward, Junior Lokosa, won the inaugural edition.

For his feat Akuneto received the Eunisell Boot and N3.8 million as
Eunisell placed a premium value of N200,000 per goal.

Speaking during the award presentation, Eunisell Group Managing
Director, Chika Ikenga, represented by Manager, Corporate Finance,
Kenneth Okeiyi, said: “Eunisell remains committed to sponsoring the
Boot Award for players in the NPFL. It is our desire to inspire,
recognize and celebrate the players.

“In addition, Eunisell believes the NPFL can develop into a top class
league. We are proud of the players.”

An excited Akuneto, who was accompanied by his wife, Temitope,
applauded Eunisell for recognizing players in the NPFL and expressed
appreciation to his coaches as well as teammates at Rivers United.

“I was inspired by the feat of my former teammate, Stephen Odey and a
former winner of the award, Silas Nwankwo, who is my friend.

“My Coach, Stanley Eguma and teammates, all contributed to my success.

“The Eunisell Boot is a challenge to do more,” he stated.

 

 

Akuneto already has a goal to his credit in the colours of Nigeria’s
Super Eagles.

 

The Eunisell Boot presentation ceremony was also attended by External
Solicitor (AK & Co. Solicitors), Mr. Ajibola Edwards, Head,
International Business Eunisell, Mr. Iain Fraser, Tech Sales Manager,
(Production Solutions), Gregg Harrison as well as MD/CEO MatchRoom
Sports and Media Limited, Mr. Ojeikere Glover Aikhoje.

 

About Eunisell

Since commencing full operations in 1996, Eunisell has grown to offer a full range of technical services to complement wide range of speciality products.

Eunisell is one of the biggest independent chemical companies operating in the region.

In 2015, Eunisell made a move into football to contribute to the growth of the domestic league in Nigeria as a club sponsor.

Eunisell holds the record as the longest running sponsor of football in Nigeria and believes corporate Nigeria can take sports to the next level.

And in 2018, Eunisell conceived an award to boost the development of professional footballers by instituting the Eunisell Boot for the highest goal scorer.

So far, seven players have won the award.

 

About Chijioke Akuneto

Chijioke Akuneto is a Nigerian International, who played for Rivers United, during the 2021/22 season.

Blessed with speed and shots, he plays as a striker and operates from the wings.

In only one season at United, he scored 19 goals which contributed to the club’s first ever Nigerian title to emerge as the hottest player in the league, last season

Akuneto played for MFM and Heartland before joining Rivers United and is set to sign for a club abroad.