Akwa United FC midfielder Paulinus Okon has promised to give even more as the Promise Keepers push for promotion back to the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Okon made the pledge after a man-of-the-match winning performance, scoring twice in Akwa United’s 2-0 victory over First Bank in a Nigeria National League matchday 12 fixture at the Uyo Township Stadium on Sunday, March 1.

Speaking after the game, the University of Uyo First Class graduate of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering expressed his delight at seeing his hard work pay off.

“I feel grateful. The hard work, the mentality, the efforts, today you can see the result. It has paid off,” Paulinus Okon said.

The midfielder also praised head coach Paul Offor for helping him improve his game since joining the club.

“I want to thank Coach Paul Offor for continuously pushing me. I was not like this when I came to Akwa United, but he has been telling me to do more and today it’s showing.”

On the team’s ambition to return to the NPFL, Paulinus Okon made his target clear.

“I want to put in all the effort to ensure this team returns to the NPFL,” he stated.

Despite playing as a midfielder, Okon is now Akwa United’s leading scorer this season with four goals. He opened his account against First Bank in Lagos in December, added another goal against Stormers in January, and grabbed a brace again against First Bank on Sunday.

“I want to score as many goals as possible to ensure this team succeeds. I am ready to do whatever is legitimate. The effort in training and off it, I want to put in more to ensure Akwa United returns to the NPFL,” he added.

Paulinus Okon also spoke about how he combined football with his studies to graduate with a First Class degree.

“Nothing on earth is impossible as long as you put your mind to it. What you need to do is to tell the universe, this is what I want to achieve. Before gaining admission into the university, I was in an academy and I said I wanted to succeed in football and also in my education. Thanks be to God that I graduated with a First Class degree and today I am growing in my football career.”

It was also a special afternoon for Paulinus Okon off the pitch, as his mother and siblings watched him from the stands. After he was presented with the Ibom Air/Akwa United Man-of-the-Match award, his family joined him on the pitch to celebrate the memorable performance.

Akwa United’s win extended their lead at the top of the NNL Conference B standings to four points.

The Promise Keepers will next travel to face Osun United in a matchday 13 fixture this weekend as they continue their push for promotion back to the NPFL.

READ MORE:Paul Offor Sends Message to Akwa United Fans After Victory Over First Bank

Steve Borthwick has ripped up his England side for the Six Nations trip to face Italy, naming an all-new backline with Fin Smith installed at fly half.

Smith takes the place of George Ford as Borthwick wields the axe following back-to-back defeats to Scotland and Ireland that have all but ended England’s title hopes.

Tommy Freeman is the sole survivor from the backline that started against Ireland in round three, though moves to outside centre to partner Six Nations debutant Seb Atkinson after injury to Ollie Lawrence. Veteran Elliot Daly is stationed at full-back, Tom Roebuck returns on the right wing and Cadan Murley is a surprise inclusion on the left.

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With Alex Mitchell out for the remainder of the campaign due to a hamstring issue, Ben Spencer is preferred to Jack van Poortvliet at scrum half to complete a fresh look behind the scrum.

There are changes up front, too: Jamie George takes the place of Luke Cowan-Dickie at hooker; Alex Coles replaces Ollie Chessum, who missed training on Monday; and Guy Pepper returns to a reshuffled back row.

Ben Earl will win his 50th cap at No 8, with Tom Curry stationed on the openside. It is the most changes England have ever made in the Six Nations since the addition of Italy; only Maro Itoje, Ellis Genge and Joe Heyes are retained in the same starting shirts from the Ireland defeat.

“We’re expecting a big test in Rome and it’s one the players are really looking forward to,” said Borthwick.

“We know the challenge Italy will bring at the Stadio Olimpico, and we’ve selected a team we believe will deliver the level of performance we’re striving for.”

England have never lost to Italy in 32 previous meetings between the two sides dating back to 1991. The Azzuri are a growing Six Nations force, though, beating Scotland and pushing Ireland close already in this campaign.

The hosts were beaten by just three points when Borthwick’s side last visited the Stadio Olimpico in 2024.

England XV to face Italy (Saturday 7 March, 4.40pm GMT): 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George, 3 Joe Heyes; 4 Maro Itoje (capt.), 5 Alex Coles; 6 Guy Pepper, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Ben Spencer, 10 Fin Smith; 11 Cadan Murley, 12 Seb Atkinson, 13 Tommy Freeman, 14 Tom Roebuck; 15 Elliot Daly.

Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Henry Pollock; 22 Jack van Poortvliet, 23 Marcus Smith.

MJF has a huge challenge in front of him in the form of Hangman Page at AEW Revolution. Therefore, The Salt of the Earth is certainly not in a good mood as of late, and when someone mocks him at such a point, he tends to fire back. That’s what happened recently on social media, which led Maxwell Jacob Friedman to taunt a former WWE champion following the latter’s recent reference to him.

Recently, former WWE star Andrade posted a heated message on X for his Dynamite opponent, Bandido. In the message, the former United States Champion mentioned MJF, calling himself to be better than him. It was a direct shot at Max’s match with the ROH World Champion in January. That comment sparked anger in the AEW World Champion, who went on to hit back at Andrade.

“Yes, and it’s true, I hate hitting Mexicans, but this time is different! Do you know why I confronted you? Because people say @bandidowrestler was the best wrestler of 2025 and all that garbage. When my whole life in the business I’ve had great matches in every company, I’m in better shape than you. I’m better, I have more experience, I can handle all styles, and you know very well that I’m not MJF, and you know that I’m the best wrestler from the Laguna and the best Mexican wrestler today, and one of the best in the world. Reza por que tu sueño se cumpla!!” wrote Andrade.

In response to this, Maxwell called out Andrade in the comment section of the post. The Salt of the Earth claimed that El Idolo secretly wishes to be like Maxwell.

“Bi*ch you wish you were me.” wrote MJF.

Check out the X post below:

MJF reacts to Post Malone buying his action figure

Recently, a video has been going viral where popstar Post Malone was purchasing an MJF action figure. That clip made rounds all over social media, revealing that Malone could be a big Maxwell fan. The AEW World Champion did not waste any time reacting to this video with a big claim.

Taking to X, Friedman called himself the greatest world champion in history. Therefore, he believes that his action figure is the only one that is worth buying in the world of pro-wrestling.

“The Greatest world champion in the sport today. The only action figure worth buying.” Posted Max.

Check out the X post below:

Well, with that said, only time will tell if Max will be able to retain his AEW World Title at Revolution later this month. Tony Khan has built a massive hype for this match, and fans have high expectations for it.