The Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Honourable Boma Iyaye has charged players of Rivers United FC to go for glory in Sunday’s Total CAF Confederation Cup game against Futuro Kings De Mongomo.
United will go toe to toe against the Equatorial Guinea side at the Adokiye Amieasimaka Stadium in a second leg preliminary round clash.
They lost the first leg 2-1.
Honourable Boma Iyaye stated that support for the team will not waver as the number one supporter of the team, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Wike has thrown his weight behind their campaign in Africa’s club competition.
“Let me on behalf of the Rivers State government, welcome you back from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. We want to assure you that what happened there is a different ball game from what will happen here on Sunday. Rivers people are with you. Unfortunately, we cannot open the stadium for spectators and all your fans to come and watch you because of Covid-19 protocol but the few persons that will have access to the stadium will give all the support you will need.
“All you need is, go and redeem your image and remember you are the pride of Rivers State. So believe in yourself.
“The Governor has assured that funding Rivers United to the final of the CAF Confederation Cup will not be an issue. All he needs from you is result. Just give him the result. Give him the results for Rivers people to cheer you up. Give us results so we will be proud of you and the rest will be history. So let me tell you that on Sunday, we wish you all the best and we believe that you will not disgrace not just Rivers State but Nigeria as a whole.
Responding, the Captain of the team, Festus Austine thanked the Rivers State Government for consistent support, while promising that the boys will fight hard to do the country proud on Sunday.
“I want to thank you for taking out the time to give us this pep talk. We are professionals and we want to assure you that we will not let the country down on Sunday,” he said after the training session.
The intense training session which lasted for about 90 minutes was also watched by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Sports, who also doubles as the National President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Sir Honour Sirawoo and Rivers United General Manager Chief Dr Okey Kpalukwu
