Rivers United focused on points, not unbeaten record – Olanrewaju

Rivers United assistant coach Yemi Olanrewaju says the club’s priority is to collect as many points as possible in the Nigeria Professional Football League, rather than focus on their unbeaten start to the season.

Rivers United remain the only team yet to lose in the NPFL after being held to a goalless draw by Barau FC in their Matchday 9 fixture in Port Harcourt on Monday.

Despite protecting their unbeaten record, Olanrewaju said the squad was more concerned with improving on last season’s performance and maintaining its defensive discipline.

“I think we are prepared; this is Rivers United. The pressure is on us to do well this season, more than we did last season,” Olanrewaju told the club’s media.

He said the team was not allowing its run without defeat to become a distraction.

“For us, we are not even looking at the unbeaten run; it doesn’t really matter. We just want to get as many points as possible.

“The key thing for us is not to concede. If you don’t concede, you can’t lose a game. That’s our philosophy.”

The draw against Barau FC extended Rivers United’s unbeaten run, but the club’s assistant coach insisted that results over the course of the season mattered more than the record itself.

Rivers United’s next challenge will be a South-South derby against Bendel Insurance on Sunday. The match will take place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.