Stanley Eguma appeals NPFL break in respect to players’ family, mental health

By Wale Mustapha

Technical Adviser of Rivers United, Stanley Eguma has requested for Nigeria Premier Football League to observe festive break as mark of respect to players and officials to be with their families and recover mentally.

Eguma made the call against the backdrop of recent adjustment to league fixtures during the festive period adding that conditions of honoring league games in Nigeria is not conducive which make the break more necessary.

The Pride of Rivers manager insists the break would afford the main actors of the league to spend quality times with their family which will further boost their mental health when they resume for the final phase of the league.

“Honestly, the players and teams need some respect, the condition in which we found ourselves in Nigeria football is very bad and very tasking,” Eguma told media.

“By the time a team begins to travel from Port Harcourt to Katsina, from Yenagoa to Gombe, you can imagine the distance. Sometimes you could be on the road for two days.

“This festive period, the roads are very dangerous. For me I think they should relax the league for sometime until the festive season is over.

“And this is the period people used to be with their families because from the beginning of the year, we are always on the road.

“People need to be with their families and loved ones for one or two weeks to have that respect a little bit and they can return with relaxed mind for the remaining assignments.”

Rivers United will not participate in the Matchday 14 fixture due to their engagement in the continental assignment.