NPFL: Rivers United Coach Plays Down Title Talk
Rivers United defeated Nasarawa United 2-1 to extend its lead at the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) table by four points in the MatchDay 15 encounter, but Coach Stanley Eguma played down talks of the club winning the title.
At the Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium, first half goals from Chijioke Akuneto and Ishaq Rafiu was enough to claim all three points for Rivers United. Michael Tochukwu scored in the second half for Nasarawa United, but it was only a consolation goal as Rivers claimed victory.
Eguma reiterated that it is still early in the season to start making projections of title success and asserted that the league is a marathon race.
“Like I have always said, the league is a marathon race so you keep perfecting until you get your result at the end of the season,” Eguma said.
“It’s too early to jump into conclusion that this could be our season as it’s still very early.”
On the opposition mounted by Nasarawa United, Eguma described the game as difficult, a measure of his respect for the Solid Miners.
“It was a very good game for us especially in the first half when we got two goals and it was expected that we consolidate in the second but Nasarawa gave a good account of themselves and I give them kudos,” Eguma added.
“I commend their efforts, they were fired up after their goal and maybe we were fatigued but we had character that saw us through, otherwise, It would have been a different ball game.”
Eguma also spoke on the quality of his team and the tasks ahead of them in the course of the season.
“I still don’t have a perfect team yet and we are working hard to improve in every department in the team despite the results achieved so far,” the Rivers United coach said.
Eguma is already looking ahead to the next fixture which is a visit to Kano Pillars and said they would play to get a result.
“Pillars will be a very big game, anytime any day. Our results so far are also pointers that the teams will be ready for us so we have to prepare very well to come up with a good strategy to get a result in Kaduna,” Eguma concluded.
Highlights
Rivers United 2-1 Nasarawa United
Chijioke Akuneto 23′ ⚽, Ishaq Kayode 40′ ⚽ | Michael Tochukwu 72′ ⚽#NPFL22 #MD15 #RIVNAS pic.twitter.com/SAVMZwIG0e— Rivers United FC (@RiversUnitedFC) February 26, 2022
Saturday’s NPFL results
Rivers United 2-1 Nasarawa United
Rangers International 0-0 Kano Pillars
Abia Warriors 2-1 Shooting Stars
Remo Stars 2-0 Katsina United
Heartland Owerri 1-0 Enyimba International
Dakkada FC 2-1 Lobi Stars
Chidi Nwoke/NPFL.
