Admin l Saturday, December 10, 2016
ENUGU, Nigeria – Rivers United overcame FC Ifeanyiubah (FCIU) 2-0 in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super 4 on Friday to throw themselves back into the reckoning in Nigeria’s most prestigious pre-season competition.
Lukman Mohammed opened the scoring for the ‘Pride of Rivers’ in the 11th minute while Gabriel Wassa completed the scoring, 21 minutes from time.
Shortly after the contest decided at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, the head coaches of the two clubs; Kenichi Yatsuhashi of FCIU and Stanley Eguma of Rivers United shared their thoughts with www.riversunitedfc.com.ng.
“We had just two weeks of preparations for the Super 4. Ahead of out next game against Rangers, we have to go back to the drawing board and see what we can come up with. Right now, I just want to seat back and observe what we did (on Friday),” FCIU head coach, Yatsuhashi said.
For Eguma, the Rivers United technical manager, the dismissal of centre half, Ayobami Asekunowo in the second half did not affect the performance of his numerically-disadvantaged side.
“The red card (to Asekunowo) did not affect us. My players showed a lot of character and discipline after we were reduced to ten men.
“Also I had to make several substitutions and effect several tactical changes that enabled us to contain our opponents. The objectives to achieve in the new season has not changed and the players know they have to perform even more than they are, presently,” he said.
FCIU will next face Enugu Rangers on Sunday while United round off their Super 4 campaign versus Wikki Tourists, also on December 11.
Wassa pleased to open United account
Gabriel Wassa has spoken about his pleasure at scoring his first goal for Rivers United in the club’s 2-0 win over FC Ifeanyiubah in their second game of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super 4 on Friday.
Wassa struck in the 69th minute to double United’s lead after Lukman Mohammed had opened the scoring for the Port Harcourt club in the 11th minute against the Anambra Warriors at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
The winger was pleased to make a goal scoring contribution for the ‘Pride of Rivers’ as they notched up their first win in Nigeria’s most prestigious pre-season tournament.
“I am very happy to have scored my first goal for Rivers United. I tried to do it against Enugu Rangers but I was unlucky. The goal was important because it gave us the win against a difficult FC Ifeanyiubah side.
“Now we must focus on winning our next game against Wikki Tourists,” he explained in a chat with www.riversunitedfc.com.ng. Rivers United is currently in third place on the Super 4 standings with three points from two games.
