Eguma hails players after spirited Confed Cup win in Angola

Eguma hails players after spirited Confed Cup win in Angola

Rivers United coach, Stanley Eguma, has hailed his players for their unrelenting spirit following the hard-fought 1-0 win over Congolese club, Motema Pembe, on match-day three of the CAF Confederation Cup in Luanda, Angola.

The NPFL champions made it back-to-back wins in the group stage despite being reduced to 10-men before the end of the first half.

Ghanaian winger, Paul Acquah, scored the superb winner for Eguma’s side in the 53rd minute, poking home from close range off a rebound after his initial header from Denis Ndasi’s flick was blocked by the Motema Pembe goalkeeper.

“We came to Luanda with the mindset to win because we needed these points to make it from the group. Our plans was working well until we got the red card and everything changed again,” Eguma said after the game.

Defender, Ebube Duru, was dismissed for a second yellow card three minutes before half-time, but that didn’t prevent the Pride of Rivers from holding on for the important away win.

“In training sometimes, we practice with one man down in case we have this situation in a match so that we will b able to cope,” Eguma stated.

“My players showed character and tactical discipline and that saw us through. I believe they gave their all despite the fact that the game almost sapped them up. That strength and dexterity was what really helped us.

“We are showing the character in the league as well and I think we are growing with the competitions, I mean both in the league and on the continent. In a matter of time, we will become a perfect team,” he added.

Rivers United are now top of Group B with six points from three matches, two points ahead of ASEC Mimosas, who pushed Diable Noirs to third after beating them 2-0.

Rivers United will next face Motema Pembe in the reverse fixture at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo March 8.

Meanwhile, the NPFL champions will honour an outstanding NPFL match-day nine fixture against Abia Warriors on March 4 in Umuahia.

 

This article was most recently revised and updated 2 years ago

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