Rivers United FC tipped for success

Technical adviser of Abuja Football College, Gobbo Renzo says Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Rivers United is ‘one of the strongest teams in the country’. Renzo, a former assistant coach at Italian Serie A club, Palermo was left impressed after United came from a goal down to beat his Abuja Football College side 2-1 in a pre-season game decided at the training pitch of the Abuja National Stadium on Saturday.

Taiwo Salaudeen had put the Abuja club in front in the 26th minute but United responded with goals, either side of the break from Emeka Ogbuh and Best Deemua to keep their one hundred percent win record in pre-season intact.

The 55-year-old Italian , Gobbo trainer who also made one appearance for Italy’s U-21 football team in 1981 saw enough of the Port Harcourt club to leave him impressed.

“I saw a good team in Rivers United. They finished in second place in last season’s NPFL so they are a good team.

“In the past when we played against NPFL teams, it was never an easy game for them because we drew a lot of times and win some times.

“Yes, we lost to Rivers United but I was impressed with the quality of our work,” he said.

Rivers United will represent Nigeria in the Caf Champions League in 2017 and Renzo expects a strong challenge from the ‘Pride of Rivers’ when they come up against Africa’s elite.

“This (Rivers United) is a strong team and will do well in African competition.

“They are surely one of the best teams in Nigeria, of course,” he said.

Meanwhile, technical manager of Rivers United, Stanley Eguma is pleased with the progress made by his charges so far in pre-season.

Eguma was also full of praise for the Abuja Football College side beaten by his charges on Saturday.

“Abuja Football College side is a very strong side. They showed a lot of cohesion and the players are extremely fit.

“They are a well-groomed side and gave us a very good test.

“I was happy we played against them as they helped us expose some of our weaknesses,” he said.

Rivers United will face Adala FC in their fourth pre-season game in Abuja on Sunday by 4pm at the Goal Project.