Rivers United stand-in coach, Yemi Olanrewaju, has attributed his facet’s emphatic 4–1 defeat to Barau FC to fatigue, following the rescheduled Matchday 5 fixture performed on Friday on the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.
Head coach Finidi George was absent from the encounter on account of bereavement, in accordance with an official membership assertion, with Olanrewaju taking cost from the touchline.
Talking after the match, Olanrewaju insisted the scoreline didn’t mirror the general steadiness of play, stressing that Rivers United dominated possession however paid the worth for a demanding schedule.
“Conceding 4 objectives doesn’t actually present the true nature of the sport. We managed the match and had about 70 per cent possession, however the consequence wasn’t what we needed. I believe fatigue performed an enormous position — the gamers appeared drained,” Olanrewaju stated.
He highlighted the congested fixture record and in depth journey, noting that the conflict towards Barau FC was the staff’s seventh match in lower than three weeks.
“It’s been a troublesome run with loads of travelling. You return to Port Harcourt, then make a two-day journey once more. It’s not simple for the boys, however that is Rivers United — we’re constructed for robust moments. One or two video games received’t go your approach in a 38-game season.”
The way it Occurred
Beginning with three adjustments to the beginning XI, of their house win over Wikki Vacationers, with Nsi Effimi, Seyi Ogunbayo and Okon Aniekeme changed by Ogechukwu Ogbulu, Wasiu Falolu and Emmanuel Nnaji,
Rivers United started brightly.
They took the lead inside 5 minutes when Osimaga Duke unleashed a robust strike from exterior the field to beat Barau goalkeeper Yusuf Mohammed.
The guests loved early momentum, with Samson Obi and Wasiu Falolu each going shut, however Barau FC grew into the competition and drew degree within the twenty fifth minute by Usman Maidubji’s penalty.
Simply earlier than half-time, Jimmy Ambrose put the hosts forward, swinging the match firmly in Barau FC’s favour.
The second half proved decisive as substitute Kabir Abdullahi struck twice — within the sixty fourth minute and once more eight minutes later — to seal a complete victory for the house facet.
Regardless of the defeat, Rivers United’s first away lack of the season, the Delight of Rivers stay high of the NPFL standings with 33 factors from 17 matches, two factors away from second-placed Nasarawa United.
The loss additionally ended a eight -game unbeaten away run and marked solely their second defeat of the marketing campaign, racking up 5 attracts and two victories.
Barau FC, in the meantime, climbed to sixteenth place with 20 factors, boosting their survival hopes.
Rivers United will look to shortly put the setback behind them once they return to league motion on Monday, travelling to Ilorin to face Katsina United in a Matchday 18 encounter.
