COACH YEMA RUES MISSED CHANCES IN RIVERS UTD DEFEAT

Stand-in gaffer Yemi Olanrewaju, fondly known as Coach Yema, was left to rue his side’s missed chances after Enyimba lost to former champions Rivers United in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) tie in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

Deputy Echeta scored either side of half time to hand the Pride of Rivers maximum points and condemn the reigning NPFL champions to a 7th defeat of the season.

The manner of the defeat left the former MFM FC and Vandrezzer assistant coach furious, blaming his side for giving away the two goals.

“I don’t think they (Rivers United) created any glaring chances, we were careless to concede those two goals,” the Golden Eaglets assistant coach said.

“For me, I was fuming and angry with the boys. The second goal was crazy, you can’t give such space to a player. You know he is right-footed, instead of closing him down, you let him drag the ball to his power foot to take a shot.”

Coach Yema, however, praised Rivers United for their win, adding he is not a ‘bad loser’.

“Congratulations to Rivers United. I don’t want to be a bad loser that complains every time we lose,” he added.

“It was a good game, and I think we had a better opportunity to have scored and win the game than they did. They didn’t create anything tangible against us, but they took their half chances.

“That’s what happens in football. If you don’t take your chances and the opponents take theirs, that’s the end of the game.”

Following the loss, 2-time African champions Enyimba remain 5th on the standings, with 32 points from 19 matches, 4 points away from table-toppers Lobi Stars (36pts).