Football
Rivers United captain,
Festus Austine says Malian club, AS Real Bamako have a good chance of
progressing to the first round of the 2017 Caf Champions League (CCL) despite
Saturday’s 0-0 draw between both sides in Bamako.
Rivers United dominated
for large stretches in the stalemate at the Estadio Modibo Keita in the first
leg of the preliminary round CCL clash.
Austine says drawing 0-0
away from home in the first leg is not a bad result but also described it as a
‘very dangerous situation.’
“We did well not to
concede but this is a very dangerous situation because if they score once in
the return leg, we will have to score twice at least (to progress).
“AS Real Bamako is a good
team and they proved it on Saturday.
“We are also a very good
side and I want to assure Nigerians that we will qualify for the first round by
beating AS Real Bamako at home,” he told the club’s official website,
www.riversunited.com.ng.
Saturday’s game was
watched by chargé d'affaires, Embassy of Nigeria (Bamako), Yara Abdulsalam and he took the time to voice
his sentiments on the high stakes encounter.
“Rivers United had more
possession than AS Real Bamako and it’s just for us to go for the goals in Port
Harcourt.
“If (United) could play
this well in Bamako, I think they will win in the return leg in Port Harcourt,”
he said.
On his part, Rivers State
Sports Commissioner, Boma Iyaye identified consistent motivation of the players
by the sponsor as one of the main reasons for their positive display on
Saturday.
“Our secret is very simple
– motivate the players! When you motivate the players, you will get whatever
you want from them.
“The welfare of the
players is most paramount for us as (sponsor of the football club).
“Their salaries and other
entitlements are paid as at when due and the results are clear for all to see,”
he said.
The national President of
the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Honour Sirawoo who was also
in Bamako to watch the game spoke afterwards.
“It was a great game but
we just need to build on the attack and I am sure we will do that in Port
Harcourt.
“From what we saw on
Saturday, it is clear that Nigeria has great potential to do well in this
competition.
“We have been preaching
the collective. Government, the participators and sports writers have begun to
work together and with that, I am sure we will go further,” he said.
Rivers United will host
the Malians in the return leg in Port Harcourt next weekend.
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