Football
The final match day of this season’s Nigeria Professional Football
League (NPFL) is finally upon us and one of the most decisive games of the
weekend will be played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on
Sunday.
The stakes are high as Rivers United will be hoping for an
improbable combination of results to emerge champions.
The ‘Pride of Rivers’ will have to pull off what they have not
managed since May 8 in Warri – win an away game – if they are to tear the form
books to shreds (bookmakers have since handed the title to the current leaders,
Enugu Rangers.
Rivers United will also have to score their first goal (s) on the
road since May to stand any chance of toppling Rangers at the summit of the
standings.
The permutations will however come to nought if Rangers as much as
avoid defeat (they are overwhelming favourites to secure a big victory) against
El Kanemi Warriors in their final league game of the season in Enugu on Sunday,
a fact not lost on the Rivers United technical manager, Stanley Eguma.
“The truth is that it doesn’t matter what we do in Uyo on Sunday
as regards our chances of winning the title because if Rangers beat El Kanemi
Warriors on Sunday, they will be champions.
“We no longer have our destiny in our hands but as professionals,
we will hold up our own end of the deal by trying to win in Uyo against Akwa
United,” the trainer said.
The Promise keepers will not be easy prey.
Akwa United will not be relegated this term and will also not play
on the continent irrespective of the result against Rivers United on Sunday.
They will also be missing the services of suspended stalwarts,
Yusuf Adio and Friday Ubong at the ‘Nest of Champions’ on Sunday but anyone who
feels the Uyo club will simply roll over is in for a surprise according to
chief coach, Daboere Dokubo.
“I had a chat with the technical adviser (Maurice) Cooreman and he
is of the opinion that we must beat Rivers United on Sunday to end the season on
a high.
“It is also a sentiment shared by all our coaches, players and
fans too.
“A victory is important because it is our last game of the season.
“The two suspended players have not played all our games this
season.
“Adio was injured for a while before he made a return to the first
team.
“We have capable replacements for them,” he said.
Kick off for Sunday’s game has been fixed for 4pm.
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