Rivers United made a bold statement in the month of August as the team kept a promise with front-of-shirt sponsor, Eunisell, to become the only unbeaten team in the Nigeria Professional Football League, in August.
The month of August was completed in style on Sunday when Rivers delayed Plateau United’s victory party as their hosts came from behind to share points on match day.
Emeka Ogbugh’s first half goal shocked the football community, but Plateau United fought back with an equaliser from Peter Eneji.
Interestingly, Eunisell Group Managing Director, Chika Ikenga, watched the team for the first time earlier this month and charged the players in the dressing room before their 3-1 road trip victory at Remo Stars.
Ikenga returned after the victory to boost their spirit with more messages for matches ahead.
Remarkably, Ikenga’s motivational talk was enough to sustain the team as they maintained their groove in August.
“Mr. Ikenga’s motivational message served as our watchword,†said club Captain and goalkeeper, Rotimi Sunday.
On Match day 33, Rivers shared points with Katsina United before the match day 34 victory at Remo Stars.
A home win over Enyimba was next on Match day 35 and the month of August was concluded with the impressive draw at log leaders, Plateau United.
Rivers United’s Technical Manager, Stanley Eguma is happy with the trend in August, particularly the draw with Plateau in Jos. He also was quick to heap praises on the players and said Plateau United should be happy for the draw they pulled.
“I am happy we got this point, we would have won if not the penalty kick but the most important thing is that this is a big boost for us to give our best to remain in the top league.
“It was a very good game and I must commend the team because they made me a happy man, it is draw but to me represents a big win,” Eguma said.
Rivers United returns to Port Harcourt this Sunday to host already relegated Gombe United in a fixture most believe should count the full three points to stow them further away from the drop zone they had languished around for most of the campaign.
They go into Sunday’s game on 13th place with 49 points and will make the short drive to Umuahia on the last day against Abia Warriors.
AITEO CUP
(Round of 32)
Sunshine 4-2 Nasarawa
Akwa Utd Vs Yobe D’ Stars (Uyo, 6 September 4pm)
Osun Utd 0-0 Kwara Utd (4-3 penalties)
Tornadoes 1-0 FC Atete
Ngwa FC 0-0 Lobi Stars (4-3 penalties)
Unicem Rovers 1-1 Rangers (6-5 penalties)
Ekiti Utd 1-1 Abia Warriors (4-2 penalties)
FRSC FC 1-1 Heartland FC (4-5 penalties)
IfeanyiUbah Feeders 0-2 IfeanyiUbah
El-Kanemi Babes 1-1 Almar FC (4-2 penalties)
FC Abuja Vs Samba Kurna (Area 3, Abuja, 31 August)
Plateau Utd 1-0 Ede Utd
ABS FC 6-3 Adamawa Utd Feeders
Katsina Utd Feeders 1-1 Bayelsa Utd (4-3 penalties)
Akwa Starlets Vs Doma Utd (Uyo, 6 September 2pm)
Delta Warriors 0-2 Shooting Stars
TEAMS IN ROUND OF 16:
Sunshine Stars, Osun Utd, Niger Tornadoes, Ngwa FC, Unicem Rovers, Ekiti Utd, Heartland FC, FC IfeanyiUbah, El-Kanemi Babes, Plateau Utd, ABS FC, Katsina Utd Feeders, Shooting Stars
*FC Abuja Vs Samba Kurna (Area 3, Abuja, 31 August)
*Akwa Starlets Vs Doma United (Uyo, 6 September 2pm)
*Akwa United Vs Yobe Desert Stars (Uyo, 6 September 4pm)
