Rivers United FC tasted defeat for the first time this season in their last away game against Wikki Tourist on match day four of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
That reverse in Bauchi left a bitter taste in the mouth of many a Rivers United faithful but Super Eagles and Rivers United’s defence marshall Ifeanyi Anaemena believes the “Pride of Rivers” are not in Kaduna for a jamboree.
“It’s going to be a tough game, knowing that Rivers United has been in a very good shape and Kano Pillars is a very good side that they try to dominate when it comes to their home. So I think it’s going to be a massive one but truthfully I have to be certain that we are going to come out with a positive result at the end of it.
It’s a very important game because we know what is at sake, we are not here for a jamboree as our coach will always say”- he revealed in an exclusive interview with the Rivers United FC official website.
“To be honest the match is very important for us because you know the pedigree of Rivers United at the moment and we try to maintain it being a team playing in CAF and secondly, we are second on the log, Nasarawa is ahead of us and for us to get back to the top of the table, we will need to win the game. We need this match to get back to the table and make sure that we demolish Adamawa United after this game by the weekend. This match is so important to us to keep our winning streak up, we really need to win this match.,” he said.
Anaemena’s sentiments about how important it is to earn a win over Kano Pillars appear to be based on solid foundations.
“We have been doing well in CAF and it’s a good one for the team Rivers United, the expectation is too high for Rivers United both in CAF and the NPFL and I think there is no much pressure on the team, the only thing is that you know to get to the top is easy but to maintain yourself when you get to the top is anything. So we are trying to make sure we maintain the tempo and keep our winning streak up. It always a very good outing for us whenever we play away. I think we are good when we are at away playing so we are going to make sure that we get a good result here in Kaduna in other to keep our winning streak up.”
Kano Pillars, four-time NPFL champions look extremely formidable this season with Idris Ibrahim, Victor Dennis, Fahad Usman, Abdullahi Musa and Ndasi Denis Kadiang providing a solid spine.
Chinedu Ike has looked extremely lively in the colours of ‘Sai Masu Gida’ this term forming a formidable partnership in the middle with Rabiu Ali. Pillars will be hoping that one of the most exciting attacking prospects in the division, Ogoni born Nwagua Nyima knows his way to goal on Wednesday.
A potentially special game for the ages awaits.
Overview
Game: Kano Pillars versus Rivers United
Competition: Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL)
Match day: Six
Current positions of respective clubs on the NPFL log: Kano Pillars: 10th, Rivers United: 2nd
Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Venue: Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna
Time: 4 pm
Live coverage
There will be robust coverage of this game by our media team (that will include videos and photos from the venue) simultaneously via our official Twitter account (@RiversUnitedFC) and official Whatsaap channel from 3:15pm on match day.
You can also watch live on NPFL TV App & the NTA.
Form guide (last five Matches)
Kano Pillars: L, W, D, W, D
17 Jan 2021: Enyimba 2 – 1 Kano Pillars
13 Jan 2021: Kano Pillars 1 – 0 Plateau United
10 Jan 2021: Nasarawa United 1 – 1 Kano Pillars
03 Jan 2021: Kano Pillars 2 – 0 Katsina United
27 Dec 2020: Adamawa United 1 – 1 Kano Pillars
Goals Scored (Conceded): 6 (4)
Rivers United: W, W, L, W, W
23 Jan 2021: Rivers United 3 – 0 Bloemfontein Celtic (CAFCC)
17 Jan 2021: Rivers United 3 – 1 Heartland
13 Jan 2021: Wikki Tourist 1 – 0 Rivers United
10 Jan 2021: Rivers United 3 – 0 Kwara United
02 Jan 2021: Abia Warriors 0 – 1 Rivers United
Goals Scored (Conceded): 10 (2)
Previous meetings (Head-To-Head)
Matches: Eight (8)
Kano Pillars wins: Two (2)
Rivers United wins: Three (3)
Draws; Three (3)
Goals for: Kano Pillars: Seven (7); Rivers United: Seven (7)
Goals against: Seven (7); Rivers United: Seven (7)
Details of last 8 meetings (Specific breakdown)
23 Feb 2020: Rivers United 2 – 1 Kano Pillars
03 Nov 2019: Kano Pillars 0 – 0 Rivers United
10 Jun 2018: Kano Pillars 1 – 1 Rivers United
21 Jan 2018: Rivers United 2 – 1 Kano Pillars
03 Aug 2017: Kano Pillars 2 – 0 Rivers United
22 Feb 2017: Rivers United 1-1 Kano Pillars
21 Aug 2016: Kano Pillars 1-0 Rivers United
17 Apr 2016: Rivers United 1-0 Kano Pillars
Predicted line-up:
Kano Pillars: Idris Ibrahim, Victor Dennis, Fahad Usman, Abdullahi Musa, Ndasi Denis Kadiang, Auwalu Ali Malam, Chinedu Ike, Nwagua Nyima, Yusuf Bala Maigoro, Rabi’u Ali (C), David Ebuka 24
Rivers United: Abiodun Akande, Chigozie Ihunda, Konan Ruffin, Lookman Binuyo, Festus Austin(C), Ifeanyi Anaemena, Destiny Ashadi, Kehinde Adedipe, Godwin Aguda, Stephen Gopey, Isreal Emmanuel
