Pyagbara, Afeez keen to topple Rivers United

When players of Rivers United FC line up against Akwa United on Wednesday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game, they will very likely do so against several former players of the football club.

Aremu Afeez and Ofem Inah were both integral members of the Port Harcourt club that finished second in last season’s NPFL while striker, Christian Pyagbara was formerly on the books of Sharks FC, a side that was merged with Dolphins to form Rivers United on February 19, 2016.

The three players are now members of Akwa United FC.

Two of them, Pyagbara and Afeez spoke to our official website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng spoke to after Akwa United’s last training session on Tuesday in Uyo explaining that while it will be an emotional occasion on Wednesday, there will be no mercy for the ‘Pride of Rivers’ as soon as they cross those white lines at the ‘Nest of Champions’.

“I am a Port Harcourt boy and I understand the history of Rivers United so facing that club will be very emotional for me.

“But I am a professional so I know what my job will be on Wednesday – helping Akwa to win against Rivers United because they currently pay my wages,” he said.

Energetic midfielder, Aremu Afeez, who also played for the defunct Sharks FC, has a particularly strong bond with Rivers United fans.

The midfielder revealed that it will be difficult facing his former employers.

“I don’t have a choice because the nature of this game means I have to face my former club.

“I want to use this medium to appreciate fans of Rivers United for the love they showed me last season,” she said.

Akwa suffered a 1-3 reverse to ABS FC in on Sunday and will be keen to record its first victory of the season against an ultra-confident Rivers United side that beat El Kanemi Warriors 3-1 in its season opener at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium.