Federation Cup : Govt dangles $50,000 to spur Rivers United to victory

The Rivers State Government has promised Rivers United Football Club the sum of $50,000, if the team defeat either Julius Atete FC or Enyimba Inter- national FC in the quarter finals of this year’s Federation Cup.
The State Governor, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, also revealed that a ‘special package’ awaits the club if they reach the last four of the oldest football competition.
As part of plans to adequately motivate the club, the Governor outlined several incentives, which should spur players and officials of the club as the season enters the home stretch.
The Governor splashed the sum of N7 million on the club for the win over 3SC in Port Harcourt on Sunday, with a further N3.5 million set as the financial carrot each time they earn a draw away from home in the Nigeria Professional Football League this season.
For an away win in any of their remaining matches this season, N7 million has been earmarked as fi- nancial reward.
Rivers United is currently in third place on the NPFL standings with 44 points from 26 games, two points adrift of the leaders, Enugu Rangers.
According to the Special Ad- viser (Media), Rivers State Com- missioner of Sports, Sammy We- jinya, the Governor, last weekend, matched words with action as he watched Rivers United in a com- petitive game for the first time.
Governor Wike was present at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt as Rivers United beat Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) 2-0. United have impressed this season and are still in the running for glory in both the NPFL and the Federation Cup.