Two undefeated sides in the Nigeria Professional Football League, FC Ifeanyiubah (FCIU) and Rivers United go toe to toe in one of the stands out fixtures of game day three of this season’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Sunday, November 17, 2019.
Not many gave FCIU a chance to rub shoulders with the big hitters in the division at the commencement of the campaign and even though it is still early days, the Nnewi club have so far punched above their weight.
A hard-fought 1-0 win in Nnewi on November 3 (the opening day of the season) was followed by a gutsy 1-1 draw against Lagos club, MFM FC in Agege on matchday two.
Another home win against Rivers United on Sunday, November 17 will consolidate an above-average start for the Anaedo club.
Head coach, Uche Okagbue has built a solid unit around unheralded talent like Sharp Uzoigwe, Eric Oguocha, Tochukwu Anueyiagu, Charles Okafor, Ikenna Cooper, Lucius Ozioma, Christian Nnaji and Sebastine Uche with rich dividends reaped in the nascent stages of the campaign.
The trainer admitted that he has yet to see United play this term and predicts a touch game in Nnewi on Sunday.
“I have not watched Rivers United this season but I have some information about them,” Okabgue told the Rivers United FC official website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng.
“I know Rivers United will come out smoking in (Sunday’s) game but by the special grace of God, we will get the maximum points.
“My message to our (FCIU) fans is that they should troop out to watch us and give us the maximum points we need against Rivers United (on Sunday),” he said.
United, on the other hand, are still smitten by their failure to consolidate on matchday one’s impressive 0-0 draw in Kano against Kano Pillars as they drew 1-1 against a plucky Heartland side in Port Harcourt on matchday two.
The Rivers United technical manager, Stanley Eguma insists his charges “will correct the mistakes against Heartland” on Sunday against FCIU.
“Anyone who saw our game against Heartland will wonder why we did not win by at least three clear goals.
“We dominated from start to finish while they had just one clear chance which they scored with.
“I am not one to cry over spilt milk as I am sure that with the work we have put in this week, we will correct the mistakes against Heartland when we face (FCIU) on Sunday,” he concluded.
