Okonkwo: No chance of escaping defeat against 3SC if...

Rivers United attacker, Chukwunonso Okonkwo says his side will “have no chance of escaping defeat” unless they play the game of their lives against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) on Saturday.

The two sides go toe to toe in a match day seven Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, with United searching for their first points on the road this season.

Okonkwo reckons his side will not avoid defeat unless they play the perfect game against the Oluyole Warriors on Saturday.

“I will be playing against my former coach (3SC head coach), Kadiri Ikhana who is a great tactician.

“He was the first coach to lead a Nigerian club to success in the Caf Champions League.

“We have to play as a team on Saturday and avoid making any mistakes if we want to get any (points) on Saturday,” Okonkwo told Rivers United Media.

United’s season has been one of great contrasts following three wins at home and three defeats on the road after their first six matches.

The Port Harcourt based club have yet to concede at home though and are the division’s top scorers on the road (four goals from three matches).

Okonkwo believes “a complete change of attitude” is key to get a deserve result on Saturday.

“I will say we have no chance of escaping defeat in the hands of 3SC unless we play as a team. The players must show a complete change of attitude. We have a good defence but we sometimes concede unnecessary goals.  

“We score in all our games and I believe that if we stop conceding, we will win away sooner, rather than later. To achieve this, we must work as a team; it’s not just the defenders,” he said.

Rivers United currently occupy eighth place on the NPFL standings while 3SC are in 14th with six points from four matches.