Rivers United rejects Ijebu-Ode as AITEO Cup quarter final venue

Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu

Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt will face Lobi Stars of Makurdi in the quarterfinals of the 2019 Aiteo Cup competition.

The match will take place on Friday 28th June in Ijeobu Ode.

Rivers United have been prolific in the 2019 Aiteo Cup competition after demolishing Timberloader FC four nil in the round of 64, thrashed Akwa United three-nil in the round of 32 and defeated Warri Wolves two-nil in the round of 16.

The Technical Manager of Rivers United Stanley Eguma said his side will not underrate any team in their bid to win the 2019 Aiteo Cup title.

In other fixtures

Niger Tornadoes vs Smart City – Ilorin
Bendel Insurance vs Calabar Rovers – Aba/Enugu
Kano Pillars vs Aklosendi – Kaduna

In the meantime, the management of Rivers United FC has rejected the choice of Ijebu-Ode as the venue for its 2019 AITEO Cup quarter-final against Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi.

Speaking on the development, General Manager of Rivers United FC, Chief Dr Okey Kpalukwu stated that the safety of players and officials of Rivers United FC cannot be guaranteed in Ijebu Ode.

Chief Kpalukwu added that an incident which played out in Ijebu Ode a few years ago when Rivers United camped in the city for their pre-season exercise left “serious bad blood” between the club and fans in the city.

“The incident from a few years ago left a bitter taste in the mouth, serious bad blood and two of our players were left badly injured,” Chief Dr Kpalukwu told newsmen.

“We cannot be guaranteed of our safety there because of those incidents and we have already officially made a complaint to the Nigeria Football Federation,” he said.

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