Rivers United gaffer named LBA Manager of the Month

Rivers United Technical Director Stanley Eguma has been rewarded for his side’s brilliant start to the 2021/22 NPFL season as he was named as THE NPFL’s Manager of the Month for January by the League’s Bloggers Association.

Eguma, who is assisted by former Enyimba Head Coach Fatai Osho, led Rivers United to three wins and three draws in the month of January, with the side going through the entire month without recording a single defeat. His boys scored ten goals and conceded only three in that time in the NPFL. Rivers United currently occupy top spot in the NPFL.

Eguma beat off competition from Sunshine Stars boss Deji Ayeni, who also led the Owena Whales to three wins and three draws in January and has been exceptional since replacing Gbenga Ogunbote in Akure last season.

Also in the running for the award was Plateau United boss Fidelis Ilechukwu, who led his boys to four wins and two defeats in January, and the Oracle himself, Gbenga Ogunbote, who led newly-promoted Remo Stars to three wins and three draws in January.

Sunshine Stars goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal was named the Player of the Month after an exceptional start to life in the NPFL for the goaltender. He kept five clean sheets in six games for the Owena Whales despite facing champions Akwa United in Uyo and Rivers United in Port Harcourt.

Lawal warded off the competition from the league’s top scorer, Rivers United star Ishaq Rafiu Kayode, who scored five goals in January, and Plateau United striker Akila Jesse, who found the net three times in January.