Rivers United Technical Manager, Stanley Eguma, has exclusively told Completesports.com that if his side eventually emerge winners of the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, it would be a perfect reward for Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, for his support, inspiration and motivation to the club.
“It’s beyond dedication. I think it would be a kind of reward for his support, inspiration and motivation to the club”, Eguma who is affectionately called Zagallo by his admirers told Completesports.com after a hard fought scoreless draw against Rangers at Awka City Stadium last Saturday.
“His Excellency [Governor Wike] has strongly stood behind us. He has inspired us and motivated us and there is nothing we needed that he did not provide. We owe him a lot and I believe rewarding him with the league title will not be too much”.
Rivers United are top on the NPFL standings with 10 points clear of second placed Plateau United with four matches remaining in the 2021/22 seaason.
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It has been a swift race for the Pride of Rivers since matchday five. With an incredible haul of 20 points on the road following five wins and five draws, Rivers United appear destined annex their first domestic silverware since 2016 when the club metamorphsed from a merger Sharks FC and Dolphins FC.
This weekend, they Pride of Rivers will be guests of Nasarawa United at the Jos New Stadium, and a win will automatically crown them the NPFL champions with the trophy most likely to be presented to them during their matchday 36 home fixture against Kano Pillars.
But a defeat could only delay the party, depending on the outcome of Plateau United’s trip to Akwa United this weekend.
For Eguma, a feeling of joy is gradually encircling his mind as he gets set to pluck his second NPFL title. In 2011, he was at the technical helm as the club, then known as Dolphins, we’re the club was crowned Nigerian champions.
In 2001, he won the Coca Cola FA Cup crown and was part of Enyimba’s CAF Champions League winning crew in 2004.
Reflecting on the clash against the Coal City Flying Antelopes, Eguma paid tribute to the Abdu Maikaba side but picked out his goalkeeper for an exceptional performance.
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“It was a good and tough game. Rangers are a good side, they have quality and pedigree. They gave us a good fight, but I must commend my players for keepiing faith to our pre match game plans,” Eguma remarked.
“We could have scored in the first half when Akuneto’s headed effort came off the crossbar. But then, my goalkeeper produced an astonishing performance with his mental alertness, extraordinary reflexes and concentration to keep out Rangers attempts.”
Rivers United roller-coaster performances this term is a product of sweeping reforms in the team earler in the season.
The club was yanked off the control and supervision of the Rivers State sports ministry and placed under the control of the Government House with former NFF Technical and Development Committee Chairman, Barrister Chris Green appointed in the capacity of Supervisor.
Completesports.com checks reveal that technically, Eguma elevated former Chief Coach, Ndubuisi Nduka to Technical Director while former Enyimba coach, Fatai Osho, was engaged as Chief Coach.
Similarly, former Nigeria U-23 Eagles goalkeeper, Sunday Rotimi, who returned to the country after seeing off his contract in Ethiopia, was absorbed as Goalkeeper Trainer.
