By Mayuku Charles, Media Officer Rivers United FC
Rivers United suffered her fourth defeat of the season as Warri Wolves Emeka Udoh scored the only goal of the game in the 65th minute of the keenly contested match at the Delta State Polytechnic stadium Ozoro.
The Seasiders took the lead when substitute Emeka Udoh scored 60 seconds after coming on, tucking home Chimezie David’s through ball from outside the area.
Rivers United enjoyed more than 70 percent possession from that point on but were unable to find a way past Pwadadi Paul in goal for the Seasiders.
The first half was lively too, if unspectacular, with Ishaq Kayode having United’s best chance. He latched onto a floated Cletus Emotan’s pass inside the area, but could not be connected well with his volley which went just off target.
Warri Wolves more measured approach was in contrast to their usual direct style, and William Sunday was looking lively on the left flank, frequently running at the Rivers United back four. One of those mazy runs ended in an excellent chance for Efe Yarhere, but he fluffed his effort straight at Theophilus Afelokai.
The Stanley Eguma tutored side were caught cold midway into the second half with Emeka’s strike but continued to make changes of their own in the second period.
Naziru Auwalu, Oshobe Shuji, and Nelson Esor all had shots saved late on.
WHAT BOTH MANAGERS SAID AT THE POST MATCH CONFERENCE
Coach Stanley Eguma
“”It is a game of football, sometimes it’s like that. All I find out is that the game was too physical. The two teams were too physical in the game and I think in the second half, they conceded that goal because there was disorganisation in the defence, in the center back that’s what caused that goal. But all the same the teams, I commend them for their efforts.”
Evans Ogenyi
“No match in the NPFL is a small match and I knew quite well I’m going to play against a very tactical side. A team that has represented this country several times and is just coming out from the continent. I knew they will come here with a kind of vented anger and I psych my boys that this is the type of match I will want them to up their game because we actually need this match to get back to winning ways.
We know our position is actually bad and we know they will come very hard on us but I told my boys to fight them tooth for tate because this type of match can go either side. And you know in football, the team that takes her chances, win matches.”
WHAT IT MEANS
With two games in hand, Rivers United drop to 7th position on the NPFL table with 18 points from 10 matches
WHAT’S NEXT
Rivers United travel to Uyo next Sunday evening, looking to improve upon their away campaign.
