Chijioke Akuneto – :: Onward News 24 :: https://www.onwardnews24.com ... Tue, 14 Jun 2022 10:28:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3 ‘I will like to win top scorer award, but lifting NPFL title with Rivers United is my ultimate target’ – Chijioke Akuneto https://www.onwardnews24.com/i-will-like-to-win-top-scorer-award-but-lifting-npfl-title-with-rivers-united-is-my-ultimate-target-chijioke-akuneto/ https://www.onwardnews24.com/i-will-like-to-win-top-scorer-award-but-lifting-npfl-title-with-rivers-united-is-my-ultimate-target-chijioke-akuneto/#respond Tue, 14 Jun 2022 10:28:46 +0000 https://www.onwardnews24.com/?p=7328 Current top scorer of 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, Chijioke Akuneto has placed more importance on winning the historic league title with Rivers United over ending the season as top scorer.

Akuneto who is leading the scoring chart with 16 goals is guiding Rivers United closer to lifting their first major title since establishment.

The enterprising striker increased his goal tally to 16 on Sunday with a brace to helped Rivers United beat Abia Warriors in the Matchday 33 of the league.

Asked which he would prioritize between winning the league and finishing as top scorer, the former MFM and Heartland forward told newsmen in Portharcourt he would wish to win both but making history with Rivers United as regards will be his major target.

“Its been an eventful season for me and Rivers United and I’m excited about how the season is going, we’ve been playing good football and improving by each game we play, the aim is to end the season as champions and we believe its achievable with more hard work and God on our side.

“Well as oliver twist, I will like to win both the title and goal scorer award, but lifting NPFL title with Rivers United is my ultimate target.”

The race for the top scorer’s gong is getting interesting with five games to end the season and strikers are turning in incredible numbers of goals.

The duo of Victor Mbaoma of Enyimba and Yusuf Abdulazeez of Gombe United are on the heels of Akuneto with 15 goals each with Ishaq Kayode, Akuneto’s team mate at Rivers United on 14 goals.

When asked if he’s under pressure with the competition for the prize, Akuneto said it will rather make it interesting and push him to be more focused without being selfish.

“I’m not bothered about that at all, it will even help to ginger me and make me concentrate on doing more better, I’d like to win the award as top scorer but that won’t make me to be too selfish, I will support my team mate in better scoring position that chasing personal glory, I’ve been providing assists for my team mates and I will still do more,” he said.

Rivers United are currently leading the NPFL log with 70 points from 33 games. The Coach Stanley Eguma led will be guest to Rangers International in Awka on Sunday.

]]> https://www.onwardnews24.com/i-will-like-to-win-top-scorer-award-but-lifting-npfl-title-with-rivers-united-is-my-ultimate-target-chijioke-akuneto/feed/ 0 Eguma warns Rivers United against complacency after historic win https://www.onwardnews24.com/eguma-warns-rivers-united-against-complacency-after-historic-win/ https://www.onwardnews24.com/eguma-warns-rivers-united-against-complacency-after-historic-win/#respond Mon, 09 May 2022 13:39:54 +0000 https://www.onwardnews24.com/?p=6962
Rivers United head coach Stanley Eguma said he has issued a stern warning to his wards not to lose their focus after their historic 5-0 win over MFM FC on Sunday.
In the MatchDay 27 encounter decided at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, the hosts recorded their highest win margin since the club in 2015 emerged from the merging of Sharks FC and Dolphins FC.
Rivers United went in front through Esor Nelson Okwa who tapped home in the 17th minute after MFM goalkeeper Folarin Abayomi kept out Ishaq Rafiu’s shot before Chijioke Akuneto doubled the lead in first half stoppage time.
Akuneto then got his brace one minute after the interval before George Akpabio scored his first for the club, rounding off a good team move in the 84th minute.
When it seemed as though all was over, league’s top scorer Ishaq Rafiu netted his 14th goal of the season with virtually the last kick of the game, powering home a free kick from the edge of the box.
The win coming as Plateau United lost to Nasarawa United in Bauchi ensures that Rivers United extended their lead at the top of the table to seven points with eleven matches left in the season.
The defeat however cemented MFM FC position at the bottom of the table, six points adrift of safety.
For Eguma though, having won the league previously in 2011, he knows that it is not yet uhuru for his side.
“It was a good performance of world class standard but I think in the league, you can’t take things for granted especially in the NPFL.
“It is not over until it is over, we will keep working hard and encouraging the players, ensuring that they keep winning till the end of the league,” Eguma told www.npfl.ng after the big win.
Eguma hailed his players for bouncing back after their narrow loss to Kwara United on MatchDay 26.
“We worked hard to get improved performance. It was a fantastic game, players hitting targets with precision and that’s what we expected, responding after our nightmare in Ilorin. It is a good one to return to winning ways after the last defeat.”
Rivers United will travel to relegation haunted Heartland FC of Owerri in their next game.Rivers United FC XI       
1. Theophilus Afelokhai 6. Enyinnaya Kazie 27. Chidiebube Duru 13. Lookman Binuyo 33. Temple Emekayi 14. Fabian Nworie 12. Ishaq Kayode Rafiu 31. Chijioke Akuneto 28. Nyima Nwagua 20. Joseph Onoja 8. Esor Nelson Okwa
Subs
22. Sharp Emmanuel Uzoigwe 3. Konan Ruffin Ngouan 9. Bernard Ovoke 18. Chiamaka Madu 19. Festus Austin 24. Desmond Agbekpornu 29. Sikiru Olatunbosun 30. George Akpabio 35. Kingsley Patrick

MFM FC XI
1. Folarin Abayomi 5. Barry Legbara 11. Dennis Obasi 14. Julius Emiloju 21. Oladayo Alabi 24. Tunde Azeez 28. Solomon Agbalaka 29. Chukwudi Ekeocha 32. Onyeabuchi Ifeanyi 34. Adikwu Moses 35. Kenedinum Nelson
Subs
32. Osayi Kingdom 2. Badejo Oluwaseun 4. Alimi Adebayo 8. Muyiwa Balogun 16.Micah Ojodomo 17. Moses Shodeinde 18. Akeem Balogun 22. Adebayo Taylor 26. Richie Eguavoen

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