NPFL Updates: Players are mentally exhausted, Stanley Eguma Rivers United Coach laments

Stanley Eguma, head coach of Nigeria Skilled Soccer League facet, Rivers United, says fatigue after long-distance journeys have affected his title-chasing staff.

Rivers on Monday defeated Niger Tornadoes by 3-0 to keep up their lead on the high of the NPFL desk.

Previous to the convincing win over Tornadoes on the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, the league leaders suffered a 1-0 defeat at Sunshine Stars, who made their return to Akure.

Eguma presently has three of his key gamers out resulting from harm and the longest-serving coach within the Nigerian league blamed the league’s schedule for the accidents.

“We needed to bounce again after the poor outing in Akure and it’s good successful properly towards Niger Tornadoes,” Eguma stated.

“It (the victory) wins again our confidence and it additionally allowed the gamers to know we’re nonetheless on the right track to win the league title. It was a superb outing and we managed the fatigue scenario to make sure that we got here out on high.

“The lengthy journey we made to Katsina was a giant minus for us in Akure, after enjoying Enyimba in one other powerful recreation. I’ve been making an attempt to inject some new gamers into the staff to make sure that these enjoying commonly are relieved. I introduced in some new gamers towards Tornadoes and I’m positive they’ll assist the staff.

“Chidiebube Duru and Chiamaka Madu’s harm fear is a giant drawback for us contemplating the truth that my Cameroonian defender can also be out injured and these accidents I attribute to the strenuous scenario we discover ourselves within the league because of the long-distance journeys we make.

“I have to search for an answer as shortly as doable to maintain the staff going. I might want to make adjustments when doable to make sure we’re potent in assault.”

Rivers, who’ve racked up 55 factors in 25 matches, journey to Ilorin to face Kwara United of their subsequent recreation.

Mike Cookey