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| Rivers United in action |
Nigeria’s second CAF cup
representatives, Rivers United are on a Renaissance of sorts. Touted for big
things after a sparkling victory over Malian club, AS Real Bamako in the
preliminary round of the CAF Champions League, the ‘Pride of Rivers’ made Nigerians
believe they could dare to dream.
Comparisons were even drawn with the
legendary Enyimba International FC sides of 2003 and 2004 after United tore the
form books to shreds by outclassing Sudanese giants, Al Merreikh 3-0 in the
first leg of their first round CAF Champions League clash in Port Harcourt.
Then came implosion as the wheels
came off spectacularly for the Nigerian flag-bearers in Africa’s elite club
competition.
In a cauldron of hate and noise, the
Al Merreikh Stadium in Omdurman, United’s stars failed to deal with the
pressure of playing in front of over 70,000 vociferous Al Merreikh fans as they
suffered a 0-4 reverse.
The dream was over; heads dropped as
many were left to ponder what might have been.
Confidence levels were at their
lowest ebb and Rivers United was in free fall with the nadir exemplified by
three consecutive defeats in domestic competition (against MFM, Enyimba and
Gombe United); the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Then came the revival as the Port Harcourt
club sought to rise from the ashes, like the proverbial Phoenix, in all its
glory with hard-fought but extremely crucial league wins against ABS FC and
Abia Warriors.
Technical manager of United, Azunda
Stanley Eguma smiled like the cat that ate the canary as he took the time to
review the wins which seemingly set things up quite nicely ahead of Sunday’s
big game against Rayon Sports.
“We have suffered so much in the
past months but as an extremely experienced coach, I know that football is like
life; it is full of ups and downs. It is important to finally get back to
winning ways as it helps build confidence. Now, we will ride on that momentum
and try to get a good result against Rayon Sports who are a very good side,” he
told the club’s official website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng.
Rayon Sports Football Club nicknamed
Gikundiro is the second most successful
football club in Rwanda, after Army club, APR who has 16 league titles to their
name.
The Nyanza club, Rayon Sports FC has
claimed seven league titles and are poised to collect an eighth as they are
currently runaway leaders in this season’s Rwanda National Football League.
Gikunduro have lost just once in
their first 22 games of the season are currently 11 points clear of
second-placed bitter rivals, APR.
Rayon Sports, a fluid-playing,
attack-minded side is largely built around three players; striker, Nshuti
Dominique Savio, midfielder, Moussa Camara and playmaker extraordinaire,
Pierrot Kwizera who is from Burundi.
Pierrot is the heart and soul of the
side; the midfield anchor on who most of the positive play of the side is
anchored. His vision, low centre of gravity, silky touches and quickness of
thought makes him slippery as an eel and almost impossible to mark.
On the other hand, Savio is a speed
star and poacher of deadly efficiency while Camara is capable of moments of
magic.
Rayon are also extremely dangerous
from set pieces and the United players will be wise to avoid giving away free
kicks in and around their penalty area.
Head coach of Rayon Sports, Masudi
Djuma is optimistic of his side’s progress to the group stage but the Burundian
tactician knows the importance of claiming a positive result in the first leg
in Port Harcourt.
“It is a very big game for us. We
are in Nigeria to try to get a draw at least. We know a draw is going to
help us in our quest to reach the group stages by the time we play the second
leg in Rwanda. Actually, we want to win but even a draw will help us in
the second leg. Rivers United, I agree, are not doing well domestically but no
two games are the same,” he claimed.
Djuma further noted, “The
Confederation Cup is a completely different competition from the Nigerian
league. Rivers can lift their game on Sunday and surprise everyone. We
cannot think too much against Rivers United’s poor form in their league (Nigeria
Professional Football League) because it will be a fatal mistake. An
example is Leicester City in England; they are not doing well in the Premier
League but have reached the quarter final of the Uefa Champions League.
“They (Leicester City) beat Sevilla
from Spain and Sevilla is a very good team that played very well (in both legs
of the round of 16 tie). Positions in the domestic league is not
important; what is important is concentration, determination and setting clear
the objective you want to achieve on the day,” he said.
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| Will Rivers United celebrate today? |
On Sunday, two sides with slightly
contrasting football philosophies will clash at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port
Harcourt with the objective of reaching the group stage of Africa’s second-tier
club competition.
Clearly, something has to give.
NB: The interview with the head coach of Rayon Sports FC was
conducted, on behalf of the Rivers United media team, by Rwandan journalist,
Clarisse Aviero.
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