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

Still basking in the euphoria of the 2-0 drubbing of high-flying Enugu Rangers Int’l last Sunday at the Aper Aku Stadium, Lobi Stars have moved with the victorious spirit into the city of Port-Harcourt to challenge table toppers Rivers United for the maximum points in the re-arranged MatchDay 21 of the 2021/2022 NPFL season on Thursday April 7, 2022 at the Adokie Amesiamaka Stadium.

Lobi Stars Match-day 21 opponents, Rivers United who have been at the summit of the table for several weeks are inarguably in imperious form and can easily send shivers down the spines of their opponents.

With 43 points from 20 matches, the ‘Pride of Rivers’ have enjoyed an unbeaten run since MatchDay 12 after their only defeat of the season in the current season which came against Plateau United in Jos.

However, even as Lobi Stars may be seen to be coming into the contest with a not too impressive record of a lowly 22 points from 20 games, leaving them one step below the red line after the MatchDay 21 games that took place on Wednesday, April 6, they can be spurred on by the convincing 2-0 victory over Enugu Rangers last Sunday.

With former international, Dominic Iorfa, back in the saddle as the Vice-chairman/CEO, a new wave of optimism is oozing in the camp of Lobi Stars so the ‘Ortom boys’ can’t be dismissed with a wave of the hand even if the odds are heavily against them.

Moreover, on all time Head-to-Head, Lobi Stars are standing taller than their opponents, having engaged Rivers United 23 times with 12 wins and 3 draws, leaving the garden city boys with only 8 wins.

Out of the 23 games, Lobi Stars scored 27 times averaging 1.7 goals against Rivers United who managed to score 22 times, with an average of 0.96 goal per game, a deficit of 5 in goals scored and 4 in number of matches won.

But on current form, Rivers United have performed better than Lobi Stars as they have not lost any game in their last 5 outings, winning 3 with 2 draws while their MatchDay 21 opponents just woke up from slumber to record their first win over Enugu Rangers in five matches .

The Technical Adviser of Lobi Stars, Baba Ganaru, while speaking to the Club’s Media Crew, expressed confidence that something positive will come out of the potentially explosive clash with Rivers United.

“Every match is a different game and has a different approach. I am aware of the set objectives of the club. We are in a precarious position and to move out, we will have to be picking home and away points.

“It is not going to be easy but if my boys will maintain the fighting spirit they showed against Rangers last Sunday, we won’t return to Makurdi empty handed,” said the former El-Kanemi Warriors technical adviser.

A combination of motivation and zeal in the camp of Lobi Stars is at play and can make a whole difference against Rivers United in this encounter, all things being equal.

Austin Tyowua
Lobi Stars Media
08033771180

Coming into this game off the back of a narrow 1-0 defeat to Wikki Tourist FC, Stanley Eguma shuffled his back four in an effort to change the fortunes of his side.

Kazie Enyinnaya, Konan Ruffin and Ifeanyi Anaemena were recalled to the back four while Lookman Binuyo reclaimed his defensive midfield position

Cletus Emotan was in for another NPFL start of the season and instantly caught the eye with the way he took up space between the lines, while Stephen Gopey was his usual ball of industry and energy.

Rivers United made a strong start and, with six minutes on the clock, Bamba Bakari surged forward and pinged a cross into Heartland’s box which fell for Cletus Emotan whose effort was deflected for a corner.

Fortune Omoniwari scuffed a volley just wide on eight minutes as the “Pride of Rivers” went in search of an early goal.

Rivers United kept coming forward, and were soon awarded a penalty when Pascal Eze handled the ball in the area – and Godwin Aguda made no mistake from the spot.

Heartland soon grew into the game and came close themselves when Shedrack Oghali capitilazed on a losse ball but saw his right-footed effort saved by Abiodun Akande in goal for Rivers United.

The Stanley Eguma team showed real heart and no little attacking spark, and could have extended their lead when Godwin Aguda was left in a world of his own but his strike was saved by Ikechukwu Ezenwa to end the half with United in the lead.

As expected, Heartland came flying out of the blocks at the start of the second half but, after soaking up some early pressure, Rivers United extended their lead as Kazie Enyinnaya nicely controlled and finished in style a stunning lofty pass from Konan Ruffin. It was no more than Rivers United deserved

Heartland FC reduced the deficit in the 77th minutes when Shedrack Oghali low driven shot off a quickly taken free kick by Samuel Nnoshiri beat Akande in goal for United.

In almost similar fashion, Malachi Ohawume struck the match winner from a quickly taken free kick by Bobby Clement late on to secure all three points in the bag and the fourth win out of five matches in the league this season.

WHAT THE COACHES HAD TO SAY

Stanley Eguma (Rivers United T.A)
“I thank my players, the put up a good effort, I thank God almighty the most important thing and I thank the management too. We were able to win today. We actually prepared for this match very well knowing fully well that Heartland is a strong team especially their most recent game when the played Enyimba. We knew we were going to have a very big fight because it’s a local derby. We expected a very tough game like this and by the grace of God we were able to win.”

“We had to work extra hard to get this three points today. It was a hard earned one. The way Heartland came fighting from all corners and at the end of the day, we rose up to the occasion and pick the three points.”

“It’s a good one for us at least it will also bring back confidence into the team. And especially now that we are going back to the continent to play a continental game, this match is going to raise the moral of the players for us to continue to be in a winning streak, that winning mentality that we return back to play the South African team.”

Christian Obi ( Head Coach Heartland FC)
“Every coach will always be optimistic of victory, so we didn’t bargain it but it came. Well I will attribute it to lack of concentration towards the dieing minutes of the game.”

WHAT IT MEANS
Rivers United remain top it the NPFL table with 12 points from 5 matches

WHAT’S NEXT
Rivers United will return to CAF Confederation Cup action as they travel to Port Novo, Benin Republic to confront Bloemfontein Celtic on Saturday 23rd November 2021 by 4pm local time (3pm Nigeria time)

Mayuku Charles
Media Officer
Rivers United FC