Rivers United assistant coach Yemi Olanrewaju has admitted that the team is struggling to cope with a heavy match schedule, following their recent dip in form.
The Port Harcourt-based side, coached by Finidi George, suffered a 1-0 defeat to Niger Tornadoes in a rescheduled Matchday 26 fixture, marking their third consecutive loss on the road.
The decisive goal came in the 67th minute through Terdoo Shimagande, sealing victory for Niger Tornadoes and compounding Rivers United’s away struggles.
The club, one of the busiest teams in the Nigeria Professional Football League this season, has reportedly played the highest number of matches, largely due to their involvement in continental competitions.
Olanrewaju pointed to the demanding schedule as a key factor affecting the team’s performance, noting that fixture congestion is taking its toll on the squad.
“But it’s one of those things; I think we are paying the price of playing the continent. Games are accumulated, and everybody is playing for something,” he said.
Rivers United’s continental commitments, while a mark of progress for the club, have now coincided with a string of inconsistent results in the domestic league.
The loss to Niger Tornadoes further raises concerns about squad depth and fatigue as the season approaches a critical stage.
Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if the team can recover from their recent slump and stabilize their league campaign.
Despite the setback, Rivers United remain a strong contender in the NPFL, but their ability to balance multiple competitions may determine how their season ultimately unfolds.
