The final match day of this season’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is finally upon us and one of the most decisive games of the weekend will be played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Sunday.
The stakes are high as Rivers United will be hoping for an improbable combination of results to emerge champions.
The ‘Pride of Rivers’ will have to pull off what they have not managed since May 8 in Warri – win an away game – if they are to tear the form books to shreds (bookmakers have since handed the title to the current leaders, Enugu Rangers.
Rivers United will also have to score their first goal (s) on the road since May to stand any chance of toppling Rangers at the summit of the standings.
The permutations will however come to nought if Rangers as much as avoid defeat (they are overwhelming favourites to secure a big victory) against El Kanemi Warriors in their final league game of the season in Enugu on Sunday, a fact not lost on the Rivers United technical manager, Stanley Eguma.
“The truth is that it doesn’t matter what we do in Uyo on Sunday as regards our chances of winning the title because if Rangers beat El Kanemi Warriors on Sunday, they will be champions.
“We no longer have our destiny in our hands but as professionals, we will hold up our own end of the deal by trying to win in Uyo against Akwa United,” the trainer told RIVERS UNITED MEDIA.
The Promise keepers will not be easy prey
Akwa United will not be relegated this term and will also not play on the continent irrespective of the result against Rivers United on Sunday.
They will also be missing the services of suspended stalwarts, Yusuf Adio and Friday Ubong at the ‘Nest of Champions’ on Sunday but anyone who feels the Uyo club will simply roll over is in for a surprise according to chief coach, Daboere Dokubo.
“I had a chat with the technical adviser (Maurice) Cooreman and he is of the opinion that we must beat Rivers United on Sunday to end the season on a high.
“It is also a sentiment shared by all our coaches, players and fans too.
“A victory is important because it is our last game of the season.
“The two suspended players have not played all our games this season.
“Adio was injured for a while before he made a return to the first team.
“We have capable replacements for them,” he said.
Kick off for Sunday’s game has been fixed for 4pm.
Form guide (last five NPFL matches)
Rivers United (DLWLW)
Rivers United 2-0 Plateau United (home)
Rivers United 0-4 Enugu Rangers (away)
Rivers United 3-1 Warri Wolves (home)
Rivers United 0-1 Wikki Tourists (away)
Rivers United 0-0 Abia Warriors (home)
Akwa United (DLWLW)
Akwa United 1-0 Lobi Stars (home)
Akwa United 1-2 Enyimba (away)
Akwa United 3-1 MFM FC (home)
FCIU 2-0 Akwa United (away)
Nasarawa United 2-2 Akwa United (away)
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