Nigerian champions, Rivers United, say they will not hold back when they face Wydad Athletic Club, WAC, of Morocco, in Sunday’s win or rust CAF Champions League reverse fixture final qualifying game, Completesports.com reports.
United who pride themselves as Pride of Rivers, hold a 2-1 advantage going into this crunch battle.
Stanley Eguma, Technical Manager of the club, is upbeat as the squad prepares to fly out tomorrow, Thursday, October 13, for the ‘battle of Casablanca’.
“They [Wydad] played a withdrawn game here on Sunday against us to avoid conceding many goals,” said Eguma while speaking with Completesports.com Monday.
“They played with more defenders and midfielders and were banking on the counter to get a goal.
“We’re well aware of this strategy, but unfortunately our defenders momentarily lost concentration, allowing the Moroccans to score despite the goal coming from a seemingly offside position.
“It’s kudos to my players who did not allow that to unsettle them but instead responded instantly with the equaliser before the break.”
Eguma added: “Yes, we threw away several scoring opportunities that could have made the scoreline more respectable.
“However, it’s important traveling to Morocco for the return leg in the driving seat.
“It isn’t gonna be a tea party in Casablanca. It’s ‘no retreat, no surrender’.
“We are going to work and perfect our strategies that will counter theirs in Morocco.
“For sure, they would come out to play, to look for goals. They must score to win but, then, if they could do it here on our ground, why can’t we do the same there?”
The last time Rivers United featured in the CAF Champions League in 2017, they crashed out at this stage following a defeat by Club Africain of Tunisia.
The result saw Rivers United dropping down to CAF Confederation Cup.
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This time out, Eguma’s men have their heads tightly screwed onto their heads to cross the Rubicon.
To reach the group stage), Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, threw a bait of $40, 000 to each of the players.
Captain Joseph Onoja said that the dollar rain did not pull their legs off the pedal in the first leg match.
“We had no better motivation than our careers,” Onoja said.
“Yes, the team was made a promise of $40,000 but it never crossed our mind while on the pitch.
“We were more concerned about winning and reaching the group stages for the good of our careers than the instant cash promise.
“Yes, we didn’t get the exact result we wanted, but that belongs to the past now.
“Our focus is now on the next game in Casablanca on Sunday,” Onoja stated.
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COMMENTS
Nigeria Coaches at it again “ No retreat No Surrender “ instead of shutting your mouth and leave that for the pitch to talk. After weekend there’s no room for excuse such as referee or whatever. Instead of you to start figuring out how you’ll deal with your single goal lead you’ve started the usual SHS Grammar.
Well said Brotherman Samuels. Nigerian coaches must speak less.
No retreat, no surrender, no hope!Sorry, the odds are stacked against them in North Africa.This is football and not war.The Nigerian league is very weak.