CAF CC: Eguma's 99 reasons for Rivers United defeat to Futuro Kings

Rivers United Coach Stanley Eguma is disappointed with his team’s first-leg defeat to Futuro Kings in CAF Confederation Cup match on Saturday.

Rivers suffered a shock 2 – 1 defeat at the hand of their hosts at the Estadio De Mongomo stadium, in their first competitive game of the season.

In his post match interview, Coach Eguma said the result didn’t reflect the team’s preparation.

“Actually the result was an unfortunate one, we prepared very well for this game with the little time frame at our disposal, we trained and participated in some tournaments and we had high hopes after weeks of excellence work,” He told brila.net.

“But, the result of the game isn’t a reflection of our work and there are some other issues that affected us, the players tried but we missed an avalanche of goals that later affected the team psychologically.”

“Within 15 – 20 minutes, we should have scored at least two goals, in fact before the end of the first half, we should have been three or four goals up, but the attackers were so wasteful in front of goal and you can’t afford to waste chances in the match of this magnitudes.”

Apart from missing of chances, Eguma also explained that the team that injury to his first and second choice goalkeepers made the team vulnerable.

“Again, injury to my goalkeepers affected the team. Afelokhai was injured on the eve of our journey and the only goalkeeper available was Ospino Egbe, who also sustained an injury towards the end of first half.

“He collided into an attacker and had a deep cut on his face that left him dizzy. He later opted out of the second half and we were without a goalkeeper.

“The doctor treated him and we pleaded with him to continue the second half which he did, but almost immediately he conceded the two goals.”

Eguma is however optimistic that his team can turn the tie around when they welcome Futuro Kings in the second-leg at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt.

“Generally, we should have come out with a win, but that’s football. I believe we can beat them here (Port Harcourt), if we get our strategy right. They are beatable,” He concluded

The return-leg is scheduled to hold next Month and the winner over two legs progress through to the first round qualifiers.