By Victor Enyinnaya on March 17, 2017

“We will take on our Sudanese opponent in the return leg of this year’s CAF Champs League right in front of their home fans as if we are the team that has the three nil down.”

These were the words of Rivers United head coach, Stanley Eguma, while reflecting on the impending second leg crack in Omdurman, Sudan this weekend.

He emphatically said that the game would only be won and lost when the referee draws the curtain. According to him, the match will be more difficult than the first leg in Port Harcourt.  The gaffer insists homers would try to rush the Nigerians as they press for early goal while Rivers United would capitalise on that to do more damage while ensuring that nothing happens to their three zero lead.

“No doubt, there will be lots of fireworks from both sides, each doing everything not to yield ground. Yes, Al-Merrikh is a good side and good enough Rivers United are no respecter of teams, but one that believes in taking its opponent head on. We are all aware of the enormity of the Sudan assignment and so all hands are on deck to come out better that would see us through to the dollars spinning group stage. We cannot afford to achieve less. Our eyes are set to go beyond this stage and we are working round the clock to get there. It won’t be a tea party though but we are equal to the uphill task,” he reassured.

Eguma further revealed that the atmosphere in his camp is very conducive which he stressed has made the spirit of the players so high too. He remarked that it is on such premise that the concentration is in its optimum. “The target the team set for itself would be met; we are working so hard on that,” he said.

 The gaffer said the players vowed shortly after the first leg not to relent in their efforts to see off the Sudanese. He also explained that the state government has been up and doing in the funding of the team, so there will be no excuse whatsoever for low performance.

“There will be no room for complacency in Sudan. The match is one of the high tension games in the return leg fixtures of the CAF elite Championship.  We must device water tight strategies that would effectively counter and tackle whatever trick our opponent of the day would throw up. We are no strangers in international championship especially as it relates to away encounters.  It is why we are preparing ourselves from all angles. There is nothing that would make us to be caught unaware. Rivers United FC is focused, the government and people of Rivers State are solidly behind us, and we cannot afford to disappoint them and Nigerians. We need prays as we take on Al-Merrikh. We don’t fear teams but we respect them as much as they do to us too,” he restated.

It would be recalled that Rivers United bashed Al-Merrikh of Sudan 3-0 to brighten their chances of qualifying for the group stages of the CAF Champions League (CAFCL).

The match played in Port Harcourt and watched by Governor Nyesom Wike, was the round of 32 first leg clash of the competition.

A first half brace from Guy Kuemian and another brilliant effort from Esosa Igbinosa gave the Pride of Rivers a comfortable lead into the second leg which will be played at the Al-Merrikh Stadium, Omdurman this weekend. The winner of the tie will qualify for the group stage of the competition.

•Photo shows Rivers United head coach, Stanley Eguma.

Source Daily Sports

Posted March 17, 2017

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