December 16, (THEWILL) – Rivers United Football Club are currently impressing in their continental tournament, which has kept them from fulfilling their domestic obligations to the point of looking as if they are falling behind in the domestic front. Just two seasons after their historic maiden Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) triumph, the Port Harcourt-based club are close to the relegation zone because they have missed games due to continental obligations. Their lowly position at home is in contrast with their continental display.
Rivers United sits joint top of its CAF Confederation Cup group – breeding confidence against continental oppositions.
United’s domestic form is a harrowing subplot to its recent narrative. From record-breakers to sitting above the relegation zone in just over twelve months, could appear as though coach Stanley Eguma is struggling to replicate the supreme consistency of his all-conquering 2021/2022 vintage. Widely praised for assembling a tactically disciplined, physically conditioned unit, Eguma’s current squad is expected to find a balancing act that will give them an edge which can give them the same progress in the local league that will match their continental progress.
With the domestic league reaching its midway point, United will need to ramp up their domestic game quality. Three points currently separate it from the drop zone – a position unthinkable barely a year ago during its domination. Maintaining Nigeria’s traditional club hierarchy is paramount to preserving interest and talent pathways into the domestic game. To see an erstwhile powerhouse now contemplating the trapdoor would reverberate uncomfortably amongst fans and officials alike. Urgent revival is required to stall this slide and that opportunity will present itself when the matches the club has missed due to continental obligations are rescheduled. However, United must reconcile their domestic ambitions with their impressive continental adventures.
Simultaneous to its domestic struggles, where they have lost three matches and drawn the same number of games in 10 matchdays, the club’s CAF Confederation Cup campaign continues to defy expectations. United sits atop Group C with six points from three matches – leapfrogging the more fancied Dreams FC of Ghana that beat them 2-1 in matchday two. The squad has reacted admirably to the heightened quality of opposition – accruing valuable experience while gaining confidence and belief at this level. Maintaining continental involvement should rightly take precedence in United’s priorities from a resource and reputational standpoint. Its travelling fans also deserve reward for their vociferous backing so far in the competition.
Therefore, while domestic struggles persist, United must continue leveraging their continental form where possible. Rotating squads helps maintain fitness and momentum while opportunities persist for players to shine on both stages. Continental progress also aids the club’s negotiating leverage for new player acquisitions to freshen and strengthen the existing squad. Fundamentally, their Cup exploits have reinforced United’s credentials as an emerging power – even allowing for recent league form. Maintaining that continental foothold must take priority.
Nevertheless, the risk of relegation remains an unavoidable conundrum that United must reconcile alongside its continental ambitions. The safety net of Cup progress only masks a domestic form guide that betrays a lack of tactical identity. For a squad just 12 months removed from breaking league points records, the ability to navigate higher than the drop zone must be a priority around which a productive strategy must be constructed. Preventing further drift requires urgent squad tactics and the straightening out of immediate weaknesses.
When examining the personnel aspect, United’s defence represents the most concerning regression from its title-winning cohort. The previously miserly backline has conceded over 1.5 goals per game this season. Reinforcing the defence must be Eguma’s priority to eradicate individual errors and restore collective solidity.
Additionally, Eguma must rediscover his golden touch from 2021/2022 to extract maximum effort and discipline from his existing charges. Restoring continuity in selection and forging greater unity amongst the playing and coaching staff represent the first steps in ensuring that their climb up the table continues even as they represent Nigeria strongly in Africa. Fundamentally, strengthening mental resolve to navigate the unique challenge of multi-competition participation appears Eguma’s most immediate hurdle.
Tactically, Eguma has struggled adapting his approach between the league and continental arena. Domestically, opponents identify man-marking the advanced full-backs as denying United attacking width. Meanwhile the midfield pivot lacks athleticism leaving the centre-backs exposed – reflected in the goals conceded column, six so far in the NPFL. Compare this to the fluidity demonstrated during their continental adventure where the workrate and industry of their powerhouse midfield allied with the precision of their front line of strike force that unlocked stubborn defences. They clinched the 2021/2022 title with a record-breaking 77 points, surpassing the previous record of 73.
This was a victory that marked their first league title since the merger between Dolphins and Sharks FC in 2016 and the first NPFL title by a Rivers-based side since 2011. They won 23 games, drew eight, and lost seven in 38 league matches, finishing 10 points ahead of Plateau United. As a reward, the Rivers state government of Nyesom Wike rewarded each player and official $20,000 for their triumph.
Eguma must formulate dual strategies better suited to both the league and cup competitions respectively for them to realise his own promise of reclaiming the title they lost when Enyimba International dethroned them from the championship dias. While they continue flying the flag admirably on the continent, their domestic form may have lasting reputational damage and the situation demands an immediate reversal of fortune. Coach Eguma will need to be shrewd in stabilising, strengthening and refocusing his squad towards climbing as far away from relegation as possible while simultaneously balancing continental involvement for experience and commercial gain.
Achieving both ambitions will prove a stern examination of his managerial credentials. How he navigates this next critical period will ultimately define his legacy and United’s status amongst Nigeria’s elite. For now, the club faces testing times in its bid to replicate that historic 2021/2022 league winning form – hopefully starting a revival that sustains both continental and domestic aspirations.
The road ahead remains fraught with uncertainty for Rivers United football club. Preventing further domestic drift while continuing continental progression shapes as Eguma’s most immediate obstacle. He must promote internal harmony while executing squad cohesion to suit the rigours of competing on dual tasking fronts.
Most critically, Eguma needs his team to rediscover the steely championship mentality that hallmarked their extraordinary victorious league campaign. That record-breaking side displayed unmatched levels of resilience, tactical discipline and consistency under his stewardship. Recapturing such sustained excellence at both domestic and continental level remains the ultimate barometer by which Eguma himself will be measured by club officials.
While balancing league safety with Cup ambitions occupies immediate priorities, United’s power brokers are not known for exhibiting patience should fortunes further slide. Eguma himself arrives bearing a glittering domestic reputation having guided El Kanemi Warriors to continental qualification before a memorable spell at IfeanyiUbah FC. Appointed United manager in 2018, he repaid the club’s faith by delivering their maiden top-flight title. However such lofty achievements now appear a distant memory as his rivers now face possible relegation backwaters.
Equally, Eguma can draw inspiration from continental competition where his team continues showcasing credibility against esteemed opposition. Despite its relative infancy, United’s exploits have reinforced Nigeria’s improving continental standing while expanding the club’s global reputation and appeal. Maintaining CAF Confederation Cup involvement brings vital experience that could yet transform domestic delivery and aid Eguma’s escape plan. Qualifying to the knockout stages may refocus players on replicating such form to rejuvenate their league survival quest.
Therefore, while troubling times persist, hope remains that Eguma can yet steer Rivers United from the drop zone when they play their rescheduled games towards rediscovering their championship spirit. Conjuring a successful dual campaign still appears improbable given their predicament. However, in this fledgling club’s short history, delivering the near-impossible may represent Eguma’s last throw at replicating his own place in United folklore.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
