NPFL: Unpaid Wages Could Derail Rivers United’s Title Ambitions – Eguma Warns (AUDIO)

Rivers United coach Stanley Eguma has warned his side’s plans of winning the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) this season could be thwarted if players of the Port Harcourt side are not paid their outstanding financial entitlements.

Some players of Rivers United, led by their captain Festus Austin, last week told www.busybuddiesng.com that they are been owed backlog of match bonuses for three seasons and contract fees from the last campaign.

Despite the debt owed the players and officials, The Pride of Rivers have impressed in the ongoing 2019/20 NPFL season, where they are currently placed 2nd on the log with 42 points from 23 matches, just one point behind leaders Plateau United.

However, Eguma, who has consistently spoken of his side’s desire to win the league this season, says his players could lose focus and motivation if they don’t get their outstanding wages settled by the Rivers State Government.

“I want to advise that we all work very well towards achieving this success (winning the NPFL this season) because everybody is ready: the players are ready, the technical crew is ready, management is ready, but the only thing that I think may affect our performance is players’ motivation,” Eguma warned.

“But once this area is taken care of, I don’t see anything stopping this team (Rivers United).

“I mean the outstanding wages owed the players, they should be cleared, their contract fees and other emoluments. Salary is coming regularly.

“I think these are just the only few things that I feel that can make the players lose their focus,” Eguma stated.

The experienced tactician joined Rivers United (then Dolphins) in 2008 and led them to their third league triumph in 2011.

He came close to winning the title again in 2016 but was pipped by Rangers on the final day of the season.