Rivers United coach, Evan Ogenyi, expressed his admiration for his players following their dramatic 2-1 victory against Dreams FC of Ghana in Uyo on Sunday.
The hosts found themselves trailing 1-0 at half-time after Abdul Aziz Issah netted the opener for Dreams FC. However, Deputy Echeta leveled the score in the 61st minute, setting the stage for Kazie Godswill to score the winning goal with almost the last kick of the game.
With this win, Rivers United secured their spot in the quarter-finals, finishing in second position behind Dreams FC.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Coach Ogenyi commended his team’s resilience and fighting spirit throughout the closely contested game.
“The most important thing is the qualification. We told our players not to be anxious. We had like three chances in the first half which we wasted,” Ogenyi remarked.
He acknowledged the importance of capitalizing on scoring opportunities and highlighted the team’s ability to bounce back from adversity.
“When you don’t take your chances, you might be punished by your opponent. They scored against us in the 40th minute of the first half. You will agree with me that a team that comes from behind to win, is a team that shows character,” Ogenyi emphasized.
Furthermore, he emphasized the significance of the qualification, reminding the players that their performance represents not only Rivers United but also Nigeria as a whole.
“We told the players this is not just a Rivers United project, it is a Nigeria project and we know what is at stake. We need to qualify,” Ogenyi concluded, underlining the importance of achieving success at the national level.
