Sammy Wejinya
Nigeria, June 15, 2016 – The Federation Cup is back with round of 32 fixtures set to thrill football fans across the country. One of the stand out fixtures will be played at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi with Rivers United and Kaduna United going head to head on Wednesday for a ticket into the round of 16.
Rivers United are the overwhelming favourites to progress but players and officials of the ‘Pride of Rivers’ are well aware of the mantra associated with Nigeria’s oldest football competition- the scourge of the giants and the delight of the minnows.
Kaduna United campaign in the second tier of Nigerian football-the Nigeria National League (NNL) – and have been peerless this season after their opening three league games.
They are undefeated with two wins and a draw and look set to claim a promotion ticket to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) from NNL Division A1 ahead of sides like Katsina United, FC Yarmalight, Sokoto United, Mighty Jets, Jigawa Golden Stars, Kogi United and Shekarau Babes FC.
Head coach of Kaduna United, Emma Okpula acknowledges that Rivers United are the favoured side to advance to the round of 16 but insists his charges will approach the game without any fear.
“I am not too worried about facing Rivers United and they will be underrating us at their own peril.
“Playing in the lower division (the NNL) is actually an added advantage for us and we are not scared of them,” Okpula told Rivers United Media.
Rivers United are the form side (along with Wikki Tourists) in the NPFL. The Port Harcourt club have amassed seven points from a possible nine in their last three NPFL games and currently play exhilarating, attacking football which culminated in the 4-1 dismantling of MFM FC on Sunday.
Technical manager of the club, Stanley Eguma says the fixture against Kaduna United is ‘a very big match’ and refuses to be lulled into a false sense of security.
“It is a very big match for us. The Federation Cup is a unique competition. “The competition is no respecter of persons.
“Kaduna United is an experienced side as they have played in the (Nigerian top flight) in the past. We will not take them for granted. Kaduna United have not played quite as many games this season as Rivers United. There is also a little bit of fatigue for us (United play five competitive games in the next 12 days). We will however fashion out a way to contain them as the target is to win that game,” he said.
So the stage is set, sparks are sure to fly. Gladiators go for broke but unlike the typical scenario in fabled Roman history, the losers will not be sent to the mines but will be allowed to go home.
