Premier League
Rivers United Begin Redemption Battle in Katsina
BY SAMMY WEJINYA
Rivers United returns to domestic competition on Thursday when they face Katsina United in a rescheduled match day 13 Nigeria Professional Football League clash.
The contest which will be decided at the picturesque 35,000 capacity Mohammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina is one which is expected to be fiercely-fought.
The two sides are in dire need of points and are separated by a solitary place and point on the NPFL standings.
Baldwin Bazuaye is the head coach of the newly-promoted Katsina United side and he is looking forward to a good contest.
“We see Rivers United as our brothers and by the special grace of God, we will try to amass maximum points,” he told our official website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng.
As always, Bazuaye will build his game plan around exciting midfielder, Destiny Achady who is gradually but surely underlining his potential as one of the finest playmakers in the division.
Ado Ali, Eric Gwammy, Chinedu Udechukwu, Kenneth Okoli, Nasiru Sani and Belo Usman are other individuals who have made Katsina United one of the most exciting sides to watch in the NPFL this season.
Katsina United’s stars will however have to strut their stuff in the absence of their vociferous supporters as the game will be played ‘behind closed doors’.
Technical manager of Rivers United, Stanley Eguma will be looking to exploit that and his side is brimming with confidence following their qualification for the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.
“At this point in time, our position on the log is not good and we have to give our best to improve on it.
“I have charged the players to give their best because we cannot afford to drop points again.
“This match against Katsina United gives us an opportunity to pick up crucial points.
“We are in Katsina to pick the maximum points and I know it is very possible,” Eguma said.
Rivers United will fancy her chances of claiming a first away victory in all competitions, this season at the Mohammadu Dikko Stadium on Thursday but they will face a Katsina United side that have yet to suffer a reverse at their stately patch.
Premier League
Chelsea’s Pochettino cries foul over VAR decision in 2-2 draw with Villa
A VAR decision chalking off what looked to be a late winner for Chelsea at Aston Villa on Saturday has damaged the Premier League, the London club’s manager Mauricio Pochettino said.
His side thought they have completed a remarkable comeback when substitute Axel Disasi netted in second-half stoppage time, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review penalised a push by Benoit Badiashile in the build-up.
“Me and you and everyone in the stadium watching the game, they didn’t see a foul on the pitch and then VAR changed the decision of the referee. For me that was a normal challenge. The decision was there and that’s it,” Pochettino told broadcaster TNT following the 2-2 draw.
“For me, it damaged a little bit the Premier League and English (football). If we want to be the best league in the world it should be protecting the spectacle and the decision … (it) damaged myself, damaged my team, my players, the fans,” he added.
Chelsea were 2-0 down at the break but goals from Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher put them level before the late goal was overturned.
“The performance was very good and we played really well. It is true in the first half we conceded easy … to play Villa, who are fighting for the top four, I am pleased with the team and the players were good,” Pochettino said.
Villa boss Unai Emery said his side, who are currently in fourth spot and seven points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, still had their sights set on qualifying for next season’s Champions League. Spurs, however, have three games in hand.
“We have to try to keep being consistent with the players we have and I believe in the players … in Premier League we are fighting with Tottenham for fourth position,” he said.
-Reuters
Premier League
Salah in touchline row with Klopp as Liverpool drop points
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah appeared to have a heated exchange with manager Juergen Klopp shortly before the Egypt international was brought on as a second-half substitute in a 2-2 Premier League draw at West Ham United on Saturday.
Salah, who has not been at his best since returning from injury last month, was brought on in the 79th minute, just after the Hammers’ second goal levelled the game.
He appeared angry with Klopp on the touchline before he was introduced and continued to remonstrate with his manager as fellow substitute Darwin Nunez pushed him away from the German.
Klopp tried to play down the incident, telling reporters: “We spoke about that in the dressing room and it’s done for me, that’s all.”
But Salah seemed to have a different perspective and refused interviews with reporters in the mixed zone, saying: “There’s going to be fire today if I speak.”
Saturday’s draw further dented Liverpool’s already slim chances of winning the Premier League in Klopp’s final season with the club and leaves them reliant on rivals Arsenal and Manchester City dropping points in the run-in.
-Reuters
Premier League
Iheanacho, Ndidi back in Premier League as Leicester City get promotion
Leicester City earned promotion back to the Premier League on Friday after nearest rivals Leeds United were beaten 4-0 by Queens Park Rangers, ensuring the Championship leaders will finish in the top two in the standings.
This means that the Super Eagles duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi, both players of Leicester City again taste action in the English Premier League next season.
The result of Leed City and QPR left second-placed Leeds’s chances of automatic promotion from the second-tier Championship hanging by a thread. They trail Leicester by four points with one game left to play and are only a point ahead of Ipswich Town, who have two games in hand.
It was a dream first half for QPR as the London side scored two goals without reply.
First Ilias Chair scored with a deflected effort from outside the area, while a curled finish from Lucas Andersen midway through the first half made it 2-0.
Leeds tried to up the pressure in the second half but with little effect, with French forward Georginio Rutter pulling a shot wide from the middle of the penalty area.
Scottish forward Lyndon Dykes and Sam Field both scored headers from set pieces in the second half to complete the 4-0 win.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke turned to his bench to try and influence the game and it was one of those substitutes, striker Mateo Joseph, who came closest, seeing his close-range attempt turned wide by Rangers keeper Asmir Begovic
-Reuters
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