Rivers United could return to the summit of the Nigeria league with a home win over neigbours Akwa United today.
No player from an opposition club has yet to score against Rivers United at their fortress, the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, this season and the ‘Pride of Rivers’ are well aware that a win today could see them return to joint top spot in the standings.
Akwa United, on the other hand, come into the game in fearsome form (the best of any of the 20 sides in the division) having won their last three games in the NPFL.
A win for the seventh-paced Uyo club in Port Harcourt could see them move into second place on the table so the stakes could hardly have been higher.
Rivers United coach Stanley Eguma, who has slowly but effectively built a solid side this season, will be without first-choice defenders, Yaovi Douhadji and Chigozie Ihunda, who are still side lined with varying degrees of indisposition.
There is happier news to report from the sick bay as Ivorian marksman Guy Kuemian looks set to make his first appearance since April 10, when he strained his left quadriceps in United’s 1-2 loss to Heartland at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.
Big Ghanaian forward Wilson Andoh is also back in full training after suffering a knee injury on April 24 in United’s 2-1 reverse against Plateau United at the Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos.
Star midfielder Frederick Obomate missed out on United’s last game - a 1-0 loss to Abia Warriors in Umuahia - because of a slight foot injury, but he returns for this midweek game.
Eguma is bullish leading up to this clash.
“The game against Akwa United is a very big game. We will work harder than we did in our last game against Abia Warriors,” he said.
“That is the only way we can beat Akwa United.
“Playing at home makes no difference; we must work hard to win.”
However, Akwa coach Daboere Dokubo has expressed confidence his team will upstage the apple cart and condemn Rivers United to their first home defeat of the season.
“This game is going to be a super cracker. Rivers United and Akwa United are neighbours so this is like a derby,” he said.
“And as derbies go, expect lots of passion in the game.
“Akwa United is in Port Harcourt to provide the best.”
Dokubo is from Rivers State but he insisted loyalties will not be divided as he will shelve any sort of sentiments when the game gets underway.
“I am from Rivers State (Rivers United is owned by the Rivers State Government),” he began.
“I am going to be playing at home when the game kicks off but trust me, I will be going all out to win this game for Akwa United because football is what it is.
“Akwa United will win the game 2-0; I am very sure of that.”
