The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Al-Merreikh

  • Rivers Utd paid for disrespecting Al Merreikh – Osunwa

    Rivers Utd paid for disrespecting Al Merreikh – Osunwa

    Nigeria striker Kelechi Osunwa said Rivers United failed to qualify for the group stage of the CAF Champions League because they did not show Al Merreikh enough respect and they were intimidated by the sell-out crowd at the game.

    On Saturday night, Sudanese giants Al Merreikh overturned the 3-0 loss they suffered in Port Harcourt a week ago by winning the return game at home 4-0 to qualify for the next round of the Champions League 4-3 on aggregate.

    Al Merreikh will now feature in the money-spinning group phase of the annual tournament, while the Nigerian club will play for a place in the second-tier Confederation Cup.

    “Rivers United were more relaxed, just too relaxed, knowing full well that they had three goals in the bag. As a result, they didn’t show us any respect and that was why they lost this game,” Port Harcourt-born Osunwa told SCORENigeria

    “It was a great game, something like a miracle. I also think Rivers United were intimidated by the fans, the entire stadium was packed and the fans were yelling and pushing us and so in the first half we were able to score three goals.

    “That demoralised them and when we came into the second half, we kept pushing until we made it 4-0. It was an awesome game. We deserved the victory because we worked really hard.”

    Osunwa further revealed the Sudanese champions have been suffering from fatigue caused by a crowded schedule and that was why they fell 3-0 in the first leg in Nigeria.

  • We didn’t convert all our chances -Eguma

    We didn’t convert all our chances -Eguma

     

     

     

     

    Rivers United Coach Stanley Eguma says though 3-0 defeat of Sudanese side Al-Merreikh is heartwarming, it is not yet Uhuru as the return leg will not be a tea party.

    Eguma who attributed the result achieved on Sunday to hard work, however regretted that some begging chances were not converted to increase the tally ahead of the return leg.

    “It was a very good performance no doubt but we had chances that were not converted. We appeared to switch off in the second half but all the same we have a good chance of progressing,” he enthused

    Ivorian import Guy Kuemian grabbed two goals in two minutes for the Garden City side in the first half and it took 63 minutes for the third goal to come thanks to Esosa Igbinoba.

    Rivers United will have their hands full in the battle of Omdurman on March 18. Al-Merreikh who are 16-time champions of the Sudanese league are known for their fight to the finish approach when pushed to the corner a indication  that they will be hoping to cancel the 3-0 advantage of Eguma boys.

    Meanwhile strong indications abound that Zamalek of Egypt will play strictly defensive when they face second Nigerian flag bearers Rangers international at the Cathedral on Sunday. Coach of the side Mohamed Helmy gave the hint when he told his boys to be ready to concentrate for 90 minutes despite going into the match with 4-1 advantage.

    “We should not forget that we still have the return leg to play, the second leg requires more concentration if we are to qualify for the next round,” he said

    Rivers United and Rangers international are the only two Nigerian teams left in the quest for continental laurels this season following the ouster of FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Wikki Tourist of Bauchi respectively in the CAF Confederation Cup. A cross section of soccer fans who spoke on the chance of a Nigerian teams still in contention, gave Rivers United a 50-50 chance of progressing while the Flying Antelopes were handed a 70-30 chance of turning the table against Zamalek.

  • Rangers depart for Cairo as Al Merreikh storm Garden City

    Rangers depart for Cairo as Al Merreikh storm Garden City

    Nigerian champions Enugu Rangers will fly out of the country today for their CAF Champions League second round, first leg encounter with Zamalek FC of Egypt on Sunday.

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed respected South African official, Daniel Frazer Bennett to be in charge of the clash at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo. Kick off is 9pm (Egypt time).

    Bennett will be assisted by fellow South Africans Zakhele Thusi Siwela (assistant referee 1), Sandile Dilikane (assistant referee 2) and Tinyiko Victor Hlungwani (reserve referee). The match commissioner is former FIFA referee Mourad Daami from Tunisia.

    Enugu Rangers’ chairman, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu said on Wednesday that the ‘Flying Antelopes’ have the go-go spirit and the tenacity to dig their feet into the ground against the ‘Mediterranean Knights’.

    “We will go to Egypt with a game plan to get a favourable result ahead of the return leg in Enugu next weekend,” said the former Nigeria captain and coach.

    Enugu Rangers eliminated Algerian debutants JS Saoura on the away goal rule in the earlier round, and must be at their best to overcome the experienced Egyptian campaigners to reach the lucrative mini-league stage of Africa’s prime club competition.

    Rivers United, the second team flying Nigeria’s flag in the CAF Champions League, will host top Sudanese side, Al Merreikh at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt also on Sunday.

    The ‘Pride of Rivers’ were in great form in the earlier round, pounding AS Real Bamako 3-0 at the same venue after both teams played a 0-0 draw in Bamako in the first leg.

    Egyptian official Ghead Grisha, who was in charge when the Super Eagles defeated Zambia 2-1 in Ndola at the beginning of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying series five months ago, will superintend proceedings in Port Harcourt. He will be assisted by fellow Egyptians Tahssen Abo El Sadat Bedyer (assistant referee 1), Ayman Degaish (assistant referee 2) and Mahmoud Zakaria Mohamed (reserve referee). The match commissioner is Mukaila Nassam Adam from Ghana.

  • Al-Merreikh Challenge: Eguma shifts focus to goal scoring

    Al-Merreikh Challenge: Eguma shifts focus to goal scoring

     

     

     

     

     

    Rivers United Coach Stanley Eguma has admitted that goal scoring is a major headache for the Garden City side assuring however that the focus of training ahead of the next clash against Al-Merreikh will be on improving on goal scoring on one hand and conversion of set pieces on the other.

    Scoring four goals against As Real Bamako to forge ahead according to him is an indication the team can hold its home on a good day.

    “There is no doubt that goal scoring has been a problem but we are going to focus on that, if we are able to score four goals against Real Bamako, it means we can improve in some areas ahead of subsequent matches and that is what we are going to do,” he said

    Rivers United welcome Sudanese side Al-Merreikh on the 10th of March at the Garden city in a tie which most fans say the Port Harcourt side must win with better margin to stand a good chance in the return leg in Sudan.

    They however admitted that it won’t be a tea party facing Veterans Al-Merreikh who have been featuring in the continental showpiece for close to two decades.