Rivers United will face Abia Warriors in Port Harcourt on Sunday (today) as the Nigeria Professional Football League enters Match Day 20.
United failed to hit expected heights in the first half of the season but will be looking to make major inroads in the second half of the season.
The Port Harcourt club lost the reverse fixture 2-1 in Umuahia a week ago with the Warriors exacting lethal punishment following two defensive mistakes made either side of the break.
Ndifreke Effiong and Samson Obi starred in the win in Umuahia and will be looking to replicate positive performances for the Warriors at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium on Sunday.
Head coach of the Warriors, Emmanuel Deutsch, expects a difficult challenge when they face United.
“Rivers United is a very good team, they are very physical and compact. They are very tall and my attackers are very short,” Deutsch stated.
Technical manager of Rivers United, Eguma Stanley, was displeased with his side’s reverse in Umuahia a week ago but believes the tables will be turned this time around in Port Harcourt.
Eguma said: “Abia Warriors are a good side and I believe that we will be very prepared in the (reverse fixture).
“We have seen them and will work on (exploiting) their lapses and ensure that we get a better performance in (Port Harcourt).”