Football
For the first time in
2017, Rivers United prepare to prosecute a domestic football game with the
knowledge that their exertions in inter CAF clubs competition have come to an
end.
On Wednesday, July 12, the
‘Pride of Rivers’ will face high-flying MFM FC in a rearranged fixture in Port
Harcourt knowing that any result other than an outright win will set the cat
amongst the Pigeons in their quest to leave the drop zone in this season’s
Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
United lost the reverse fixture
1-2 at the Agege Stadium, Lagos on March 22 and will be keen to take their
pound of flesh off the Lagos club.
Head coach of MFM FC,
Fidelis Ilechukwu insists that United are favourites for a win on Wednesday.
“We come to Port Harcourt
for a very tough game against a side with continental experience,” he said.
“It will be a game to be
enjoyed (by the spectators) because the two sides play good football.
“MFM is a young team and
we will be coming with the mind set of learning from a side that is obviously
more experienced than us,” he said.
MFM is a fluid and
wonderfully-effective side that can punish opposition sides in a heartbeat and
that is largely responsible for them punching above their weight in the
division this season.
The play a direct style
with quick passing and effective finishing, a factor hinged on
supremely-talented individuals at the tip of their attacking spear – Sikiru
Olatubosun and the league’s top marksman, Stephen Odey - ‘the Cristiano Ronaldo
and Lionel Messi of Nigerian football’ as Ilechukukwu puts it.
Folarin Abayomi, Stanley
Okorom, Monsuru Bashiru, Jonathan Zikiye
and Austin Opara are the defensive foundations on which the MFM project is
built.
Tchato Gischard, Shola Brossa,
Austin Ogunye and Onuwa Chukwuka Onuwa are also important personnel who are
sure to put in an important shift in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
United will have to
produce one big effort to win at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium against opposition
that will be looking to amass maximum point to close the gap on the leaders,
Plateau United to just two points.
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