By Kelvin Obambon
With the 2020/2021 Nigeria National League (NNL) season sets to kick off on 16 January, 2021, the Calabar based Rovers Football Club has begun preparations amid high expectations for the season.
Speaking during the resumption of training at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, on Tuesday 5th January, 2020, Technical Director of the club, Mr Etta Egbe, said the team is advancing preparations for the opening season, while expressing optimism that Rovers would finish top on the table and possibly gain promotion for the country’s top flight league, which is the NPFL.
“We have an ambition like every other club in the division. We want to see how we can get to the top and then gain promotion to the premier league where we rightfully belonged. This is what we are working towards. As you can see the players are having adequate training. We are preparing them for the opposition ahead. In ten days time the league will start and we hope to have a good representation.”
Egbe further stated that with the quality of players, coaching and technical staff in the team, Rovers Football Club would put up performance that Cross Riverians will be proud of.
He said “Cross River State Government has been very supportive to the team. We want to use this opportunity to thank Governor Ben Ayade, who has never said no to issues concerning Rovers Football Club. He has always been there for us. We need to reciprocate by getting the club good results that will take us to the premiership.”
However, the resumption which comes amid the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic would have little or no visible impact on the team’s level of preparedness, as the Technical Director assured that Rovers Football Club has put in place adequate COVID-19 prevention protocols in line with directives from the national league body.
He added that currently the squad is made up of 11 old players who will be complemented by additional 20 players for the season.
The Nigeria National League has been out of action after it went for the 2019/2020 break in December, and never returned due to the outbreak of Covid-19.
