NPFL: Stanley Eguma worried about Rivers United’s congested fixtures 

By Saheed Afolabi

Rivers United head coach, Stanley Eguma has lamented the impact of his side’s congested fixtures on his players’ performance in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

The Pride of Rivers have been combining the Caf Confederation Cup and NPFL matches, with at least two matches in a week, including recent 1-1 draw with Abia Warriors in Port Harcourt.

Following the disappointing home draw, the NPFL holders tactician reflected on his players’ display, while blaming their inability to ground a victory on fatigue from backlog of matches.

“It’s a game of football, we ended up playing 1-1. It was a fair one though a difficult match for us,” he told Complete Sports.

“ The wear and tear of the fixtures is telling on us. You see the way we play today, we didn’t play at our normal game. I think also we missed a lot of scoring chances especially in the first half. Thank God we were able to secure a point.

“We will manage the fatigue. You can see the result, we will go back to the drawing board and see what we can do. It’s a game of football and you can never tell. Sunday’s game was difficult. We will plan ahead of other games.

“Both teams were lucky, it was a fair game. They got a point we got a point, they got a goal we got a goal so I think both teams were lucky.”

Despite the draw with the Uchendu Warriors, Rivers United are top of the NPFL abridged group B with 19 points from ten matches and will host Lobi Stars in Port-Harcourt in the next NPFL match on Wednesday 29th of March.