2,991 total views,  3 views today

By Amaechi Agbo

A new dramatic twist is about unfolding between Rivers United and Nigeria Professional Football League defending champions, Enyimba International over who will take the second slot to represent the country at the 2019/2020 CAF Champions League season, Bestchoicesports.com.ng reports.

Following voting by the NPFL club owners to terminate the 2019/2020 season which stopped at matchday 25 via Point Per Game, PPG, controversy have arose over who should be the second representatives at CAF Champions League between Rivers United and Enyimba.

Plateau United have the first slot in their kitty after coming first in the PPG format.

At the week 25 table, Rivers United are placed 2^nd with 45 points with a goal difference of 13 while Enyimba are placed 5^th after playing 20 matches with 36 points and 10 goal difference.

Following the PPG adopted, Rivers United and Enyimba had 1.80 points apiece    

The controversy arose on which other category the LMC would use to determine which club is second and third between the Rivers United and Enyimba.

While Rivers United have 3 goals advantage, Enyimba have the upper hand in head-to-head rule after beaten the Port Harcourt based side 2-0 in their first match.

Reacting to the controversy, the General Manager, Rivers United Rivers United Okey Kpalukwu punctured the insinuations that Enyimba would be ahead of his club based on head-to-head advantage given that Enyimba won against Rivers United in Aba.

“How can anybody say such? Do they know the meaning of head-to-head? It means both teams must have played two matches against each other in the same season before being able to arrive at a head-to-head scenario. In this case, there is nothing like that, so how can anybody have such hallucinations?

“More importantly, under the NPFL regulations, if any two or more clubs have scored the same number of points, their position in the table shall be determined on goal difference, the same decision as CAF and FIFA in their rules guiding club competitions and the last FIFA World Cup respectively. 

“It is not in our character to predetermine issues that are being processed by appropriate authorities, but we find ourselves duty-bound to prevent mischievous elements from spreading false news and unwarranted insinuations to deceive the unsuspecting public.

“We are convinced that the NFF and LMC know the truth and we are certain that they cannot be misled and distracted by those who do not mean well for our football,” Kpalukwu told newsmen on Friday in Port Harcourt.