Port Harcourt, Sept., 17, 2016 – Not many Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matches come bigger than Wikki Tourists versus Rivers United as far as the eventual result on the implication of the overall destination of the title is concerned.
Five points and three places separate the two clubs on the league standings with a win for either side certain to boost their chances of winning the title for the very first time.
The Tourists have not lost at home all season while United have failed to score away from home in the second round of the campaign.
The permutations point to a straightforward win for Wikki but technical manager of United, Stanley Eguma insists that nothing is etched in stone.
“I cannot predict the outcome of matches before they are played. I rather work towards (getting a positive result from) the game. I recall that when (United) we got our first away win of the season (against Warri Wolves in Warri on May 8), no one expected it. I can’t predict what will happen in Bauchi. I agree that Wikki Tourists is a good side but it is possible that they can fall in Bauchi and that is what we are plotting for.
“We have had a week to prepare for the game and we will go to Bauchi to give a good account of ourselves because we know the importance of that game.We know what that game will do for our title ambitions so we are not going there for (tourism).
“The fans should know that Rivers United will be giving her best in that game and who knows, we may be coming back with a win,” Eguma told RIVERS UNITED MEDIA. Eguma will be pitting his wits against Abdul Maikaba who has moulded a fantastic unit with the Wikki squad this season.
The Wikki trainer is also upbeat ahead of his side’s clash with United on Sunday and he wants his charges to bounce back from the setback of their last NPFL game against Nasarawa United.
Wikki had dominated for long stretches at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi last Sunday before late goals (the winner was scored in second half added time) from Eseosa Igbinoba and Aminu Kadir handed Nasarwa United a 2-1 win.
“We have worked very hard to bring this team to this level and everyone knows Wikki is not a big club.
“The fight will continue till the end of the season. On Sunday, we will give a similar performance and correct the mistakes we made (against Nasarawa United,” he said.
Big performers set to dazzle
Maikaba’s first team is almost certain to remain unchanged on Sunday with his favoured 4-5-1 formation which changes to a 4-4-2 when they are on the attack expected to hold sway at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.
Emeka Nwabulu will start in goal while the big Peter Ambrose (brother of Super Eagles man, Efe) leads a back four that is also comprised of Festus Umanah and Shittu Lawal.
Charles Henlong’s ability to pick a pass continues to win him fans far and wide while Musa Abdullahi, Hassan Hussein, Nurudeen Usman and the league’s top scorer, Godwin Obaje complete a solid spine for the Tourists.
Sunday Rotimi is one of the longest serving goalkeeper in the league and his bags of experience will come in handy for the ‘Pride of Rivers’ on Sunday. In Festus Austin, United have a captain who exemplifies what true leadership on and off the field is about.
Never one to shirk a tackle, Austin’s reading of the game is also top notch and he will lead a strong backline that also includes Idris Aloma and Markson Ojobo.
In midfield, the ‘usual suspects’, Christian Weli, Godwin Obinze and Obomate Frederick will start while top scorer, Bernard Ovoke has rediscovered his good habit of scoring goals.
The ‘Magic man’ scored United’s second in the 3-1 win over Warri Wolves last Sunday at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt having netted the winner in the reverse fixture in Warri on May 8. Chinonso Okonkwo is favoured to start at the tip of the spear with Eguma again almost certain to adopt a 4-4-2 formation.
How this one will be won and lost
Wikki will almost certainly dominate possession (as they usually do in both home and away fixtures) on Sunday. Maikaba is a football purist, a lover of the aesthetics of the game, ideals and principles not unconnected with his roots as a life-long FC Barcelona fan.
He teaches his players to treat the ball like a piece of gold and on Sunday against United, with the stakes so high, it is unlikely to see Maikaba’s charges treat the ‘round object’ like a piece of soap.
United must be patient and wait for their chance as Wikki sometimes switch off, especially from set pieces and quick breaks, as is usually the case with sides that monopolize possession.
The hosts also have the league’s top scorer, Godwin Obaje in his ranks so if the United defence switch off for as much as a split second, punishment is sure to me meted out in lethal fashion.
Midfield battles will be key in this one and should Weli, Obomate and Obinze come off second best, Wikki will most likely create havoc in the visitors’ final third.
It will be a compelling battle of ‘football chess’ with two wily coaches, Eguma and Maikaba pulling the strings from the side lines and the ‘pawns’ fully aware that there can be no margin for error.
Form guide (last five NPFL matches)
Wikki Tourists (LLDLW)
Wikki Tourists 2-1 MFM (Home)
Wikki Tourists 0-1 FCIU (Away)
Wikki Tourists 1-1 Lobi Stars (Home)
Wikki Tourists 1-2 Enyimba (Away)
Wikki Tourists 1-2 Nasarawa United (Away)
Rivers United (WLWLW)
Rivers United 1-0 Heartland (Home)
Rivers United 0-1 Kano Pillars (Away)
Rivers United 2-0 Plateau United (Home)
Rivers United 0-4 Enugu Rangers (Away)
Rivers United 3-1 Warri Wolves (Home)
