Rivers United coach Stanley Eguma has told www.busybuddiesng.com his side’s 1-0 away win against promoted Warri Wolves on Sunday will serve as a morale booster for The Pride of Rivers, who have resolved to be ‘contenders’ for the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title this season.
New-boy Stephen Gopey’s first half strike helped Eguma’s men secure a first away win of the campaign which moved them up to 7th place with 8 points from 5 matches.
Pleased with the outcome of the encounter, the long-standing tactician, who has spent 11 years at the club, disclosed that his team is poised to challenge for the NPFL crown this season.
“If we must achieve our set target, it then means we shouldn’t be far from the top from the beginning,” Eguma said. “Since we resolved to be among the contenders, we have no option than to go into every match with the intention to win. And that was exactly what happened in Warri – we got the victory.
The former Enyimba assistant coach also stated that the win will inspire his team to more success.
“Of course, it is going to boost the morale; it’s going to bring more confidence to the team. Players could play more on a relaxed mood than playing under pressure.
“I think it is going to kill off pressure and make them (my players) to play normally and also give them the belief that, yes, if you put in effort, hard work, you can always achieve something out of it. So, there will be a reward for it,” he concluded.
Eguma guided Rivers United (then Dolphins) to their third and last league title till date in 2011.
Up next in the NPFL for Rivers United – who escaped relegation on the final day of last season – will be a home fixture against Abia Warriors on Sunday, 1 December.
