NPFL Preview: Austin misses Wikki test

Rivers United captain, Festus Austin will miss his side’s midweek matchday 16 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) contest against Wikki Tourists in Port Harcourt.

Austin is suspended having picked up five previous yellow cards in the first 15 games of the season and thus sits out the big clash at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium.

The captain will be replaced by Ayobami Asekunowo who partners Gabriel Olalekan in the heart of the United defence.

Ali Chiwendu and Ofem Inah retain their places as the side’s full backs while Chigozie Ihunda predictably misses out after sustaining a knee injury in the 1-0 win over Warri Wolves on Sunday.

Christian Weli, Yusuf Jaiyeola and Obomate Frederick have claimed midfield berths while Bernard Ovoke plays in the ‘hole’ behind the two strikers chosen to start, Godbless Asamoah and Chinonso Okonkwo.

United’s technical manager, Stanley Eguma says the absence of Austin and Ihunda will not affect the side’s chances of getting a positive result on Wednesday.

“Rivers United is not built around any individual.

“Austin is an extremely important player, he is our captain but we have shown in the past that the team is bigger than any player.

“It is the same with Ihunda but all 18 players who have been selected are capable of doing Rivers United proud.

“We will play to win and we believe we will do it,” the trainer told supersport.com.

United are currently in sixth place in the NPFL standings with 25 points from 15 matches while Wikki is in fourth place with 25 points from 14 games.

Rivers United squad versus Wikki Tourists

Sunday Rotimi (26)

Ofem Inah (33)

Olaekan Gabriel (12)

Ayobami Asekunowo (6)

Ali Chiwendu (3)

Yusuf Jaiyeola (21)

Christian Weli (27)

Bernard Ovoke (7)

Obomate Frederick (20)

Chinonso Okonkwo (14)

Godbless Asamoah (17)

Substitutes:

Afrane Yeboah

Robert Cole

Patrick Kingsley

Obinze Godwin

Kola Anubi

Ebuka Nnaebuo

Daniel Israel