Rivers United is placed third on the NPFL log and is considered the dark horse of the second stanza of the NPFL, bearing in mind that they do have two games in hand still.
On the other hand, El-Kanemi is fifth from bottom but crucially, both teams have had contrasting run-up so far this season with El-Kanemi having gained improvement during the course of the season with the heroics of goalkeeper Sunday Rotimi being key and the goal-scoring form of Bernard Ovoke during the earlier stages of the NPFL.
El-Kanemi are yet to lose at home and have conceded only once at home- when they defeated MFM FC 3-1. A win for the Borno Army will be very vital in helping them out of the murky waters of relegation.
A victory for Rivers United on the other hand will see the Port Harcourt outfit draw level with Wikki Tourists on same number of points - 47. However, the headache for Coach Stanley Eguma will be how they can successfully grab maximum points against a side that has been very formidable at home.
Rivers United will be hoping to banish the ghost of last week’s travel mishap and also hope that Sunday Rotimi will be fit enough for this match.
Importantly, the presence of striker, Bernard Ovoke will be very significant as statistics show that whenever he starts a game for the Port Harcourt side, they emerge winners as compared to when he comes off the bench.
Bernard Ovoke in starting 11
16 appearances| 11 wins| 3 defeats
Bernard Ovoke not in starting 11
10 appearances| 3 wins| 7 defeats
Understandably, Coach Ladan Bosso will be counting on Mustapha Ibrahim who has scored nine goals this term to keep the Rivers defense very much busy and fire them to victory.
