Injury Bug Hits Rivers United Ahead Clash With Ikorodu United

No fewer than six first team players are unavailable for Rivers United as they prepare for Sunday’s match day nine Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash with Ikorodu United in Lagos.

Star midfielder, Obomate Frederick is out with an ankle injury which will keep out of competitive action for the next two weeks.

The former Sharks FC livewire who last played in the defeat to Shooting Stars in Ibadan on March 19 missed the 0-0 draw at home to Sunshine Stars last Wednesday.

Kola Anubi has not played a single game this season as a result of failure to recover fully from a knock he picked up in the close season.

Victor Alegbe has not travelled with the team to Lagos because he is currently injured while Ghanaian marksman, Godbless Asamoah has struggled with a hamstring injury all season.

Suspensions have not helped United too as left backs, Ofem Inah and Ayobami Asekunwo both received three match bans following red cards picked up in Lokoja (versus Niger Tornadoes) and Ibadan (Shooting Stars Sports Club) respectively.

Technical manager of the club, Stanley Eguma says “the situation is difficult” but will not use it as an excuse.

“When you have a situation like this, it is difficult but injuries and suspensions are part of the game so it is not an excuse.

“The aim (on Sunday) is to play for a win against a good Ikorodu United side with the players we have available,” Eguma said to Rivers United Media.

Eguma was given a three-match ultimatum by the sponsors of the club last week to mastermind an improvement of results, especially on the road where United have failed to amass even a single point this term.

United currently sit in 11th place on the league standings with 10 points from eight matches.

Igho Kingsley