Rivers United boss Stanley Eguma believes fatigue was a huge factor in his side’s first loss in the Nigeria Professional Football League this season at Wikki Tourists on Wednesday.

Eguma’s side began the domestic season in barnstorming fashion with three straight wins but conceded for the first time in the NPFL to Chinedu Udeagha’s beautifully struck free kick to come unstuck in Bauchi.

Despite making six changes from the team that put three past Kwara United on Sunday, Eguma said his side’s difficulties on their long road trip to Bauchi meant the home team were fresher for the contest, a fact he said was “very, very instrumental” to his team’s loss.

The matchday 4 encounter was also the visitors’ seventh in all competitions with Rivers United having played three times on the continent.

“After the game we played on Sunday, we had a terrible moment travelling to Bauchi. We had a hectic period because fatigue was very very instrumental to our loss today,” Eguma told the club’s media channel.

“Maybe because of the breakdown we had on the road on our way coming. But I think that the players tried their best. We have lost today but we still have other games to play. We are going to correct our mistakes and work on the fatigue issue.”

Despite the loss, Rivers United maintain their place at the summit with nine points, level with Kano Pillars who have an inferior goals difference.