Rivers United FC Players Arrive Madrid (PHOTOS)
Rivers United FC arrived Madrid, Spain yesterday for their fifth and final phase of pre-season preparations.
The Port-Harcourt based Nigerian professional league club had won the Super 4 Tournament (NPFL) 2016 beating Wikki Tourist 1-0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, before traveling to Madrid.
The contingent of 18 players and eight officials touched down at the Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport at exactly 2:35pm local time on Tuesday, December 13.🇳🇬 Nigerian club @RiversUnitedFC have arrived in Spain for their pre-season tour. First stop: @VillarrealCF! ✈️️— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) December 13, 2016
📝 https://t.co/ySzldmw9Yo pic.twitter.com/puKdk8RVi5
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| They emerged champions of the Super 4 Tournament after navigating three hard-fought matches against Nigeria’s flagbearers in 2017 CAF club competitions, Enugu Rangers, FC Ifeanyiubah and Wikki Tourists. |
“Another objective of this training tour to Madrid is making Rivers United not just a national and continental brand but one to be reckoned with internationally.
“We will be in Madrid for ten days and have already forged an alliance with La Liga, Spain, in the shape of training matches and more.
“By the time they are done with the training tour, I am sure the players, coaches and officials will be the better for it,” Iyaye told the club’s official website.
In the same vein, striker Emeka Ogbugh has expressed happiness at the opportunity which will be afforded him and his teammates in Spain.
“We want to thank the Rivers State Government for this opportunity and we promise to justify this high level of confidence expected of us.
“It is important to let the sponsors and fans know that we understand why we are all here and hopefully, we will do Rivers State and Nigeria proud come 2017,” he said.
While in Madrid, Rivers United FC are expected to face a La Liga club in a tune up game while proposed friendly matches have already been lined up against Segunda B clubs, Levante Union Deportiva II and Club Deportivo Alcoyano.
The Rivers United squad will also attend training sessions of a La Liga club (as well as the sessions of the youth teams of the club).
A guided tour to the storied home of reigning European champions, Real Madrid, the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu has also been lined up.
The technical crew of Rivers United led by manager, Stanley Eguma is also expected to be huge beneficiaries of the programme as a crash course on coaching methodology has already been arranged with the La Liga club.
The Rivers United contingent is due back in Nigeria on Thursday, December 22. Rivers United will represent Nigeria in the 2017 Caf Champions League.
Rivers United players in Madrid
Festus Austine
Nzube Anaezemba
Godbless Asamoah
Joseph Douhadji
Elvis Wike
Guy Kuemian
Olalekan Gabriel
Yusuf Jaiyeola
Kingsley Patrick
Ayobami Asekunowo
Sunday Rotimi
Gabriel Wassa
Emeka Ogbugh
Christian Weli
Ovoke Bernard
Ifeanyi Nweke
Markson Ojobo
Abiodun Akande
They prepare as the Nigeria Professional Football League 2016/2017 campaign kicks-off soon.
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