Rivers United Still Looking For The Winning Formula

Rivers United may have amassed maximum points from all their home games in the Nigeria Professional Football League this season but are still far from the “finished article” according to the technical manager of the club, Stanley Eguma.

United won against Enyimba, FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Nasarawa United this season but came unstuck with defeats on the road against Mountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM) FC and Giwa FC.

Eguma says the defeats in Lagos and Jos plus the laboured nature of Sunday’s win at home to Nasarawa United could be traced to a team that is yet to fully bond.

“We are in need of reinforcements in certain areas. We have been playing certain players out of position.

“Chigozie Ihunda is a natural right back but because our first choice left back, Ali Chiwendu is injured, we are playing him (Ihunda) in that position.

“Ayobami (Asekunowo) is a central defender but he’s been made to play at right back and that’s why he did not have a good game (versus Nasarawa United on Sunday).

“In subsequent matches, we will have our players back to our usual positions and that will see us play our normal game,” he said.

United are currently fifth on the NPFL standings, just one point adrift of the leaders, Enugu Rangers but the trainer is hesitant to light the blue touch paper of public expectancy.

“What we have is a young team. People are expecting us to play like Enugu Rangers, Kano Pillars and Enyimba but it is not possible at this stage.

“Most of them are playing together for the first time. It’s just the tactical input and the experience of a few of them that has carried us (over the line) in the games we have played so far.

“However, we will soon stabilize and everyone will see a better-playing Rivers United team,” he said.

United will face Niger Tornaodes in their next league fixture in Lokoja on March 13.

Igho Kingsley