Former Nigeria international midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju has spoken about the lessons he expects Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Rivers United to learn from their training tour to Spain.
The Port Harcourt club is currently in the Iberian Nation in their fifth and final phase of pre-season ahead of the 2016/17 season.
Adepoju says the exercise will earn the ‘Pride of Rivers’ rich rewards if they effectively key into the project.
“This is very important for them. This is a team that finished second in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and they just won the Super Four now being the best team (in Nigeria).
“They are preparing for the Caf Champions League and coming to Spain is very important for their preparations.
“I believe they will be able to learn and see many things. The structure here in Spain is very different from what we have back home in Nigeria.
“This is part of the partnership that between the NPFL and La Liga.
“We hope Rivers United learn from this and try to replicate same in Nigeria,” Adepoju told www.laliga.es/en.
On his part, the leader of the United delegation and Rivers State Commissioner for Sport, Honourable Boma Iyaye explained that the trip to Madrid will positively impact on the football club.
“We are excited to be in Spain as it will be a very useful experience for us.
“There is a lot to learn. First, we are here to put finishing touches to our pre-season preparations as we prepare for the NPFL, the Federation Cup and the Caf Champions League.
“The football culture in Spain lays emphasis on winning and we want to imbibe that aspect into our psyche.
“We are excited about the training facilities here and the maintenance culture on display in Villarreal.
“We will take that back to Nigeria and also look to learn from the technical dept of Villarreal CF,” he said.
Rivers United bear Villarreal B 1-0 in a test game on Wednesday at Mini Estadi and will next face CD Roda in their next tune up game in Spain on Monday, December 19.
Meanwhile, Emeka Ogbugh was in top form as his side defeated Villarreal B in a friendly game. The former Heartland man saw two of his goals disallowed, but his efforts was profound and enabled his team overcome the Spanish giants.
Guy Kemian headed home the decisive goal as Rivers United beat Villarreal B 1-0 in a tune up game at Ciudad Deportiva Valenciana on Wednesday.
The Ivoirian marksman displayed his entire predatory skills as he sneaked onto the far post to head home Bernard Ovoke’s corner kick past the Villarreal goal keeper, Nico Campuzano in the 24th minute.
Kuemian had to hobble off with a quarter hour still to play with a suspected muscular injury and his replacement, Elvis Wike should have doubled the Pride of Rivers’ advantage in stoppage time.
He however dragged his effort wide from close range after he was played in by Asamoah Godbless.
United had plenty of chances earlier in the game and could have easily added to their tally but Emeka Ogbugh had two efforts which hit the back of the net chalked off for different reasons.
The Spaniards also had their moments, particularly in the 88th minute when Leandro’s strike flew inches wide off Sunday Rotimi’s left hand post.
Rotimi had an impressive game denying the Yellow Submarines time and again, either side of the break with impressive stops.
The game represented United’s first in Spain where they are currently embarking on their fifth and final phase of pre-season preparations.
United’s technical manager, Stanley Eguma was pleased with the experience of playing against the Spanish side.
“This was an action-packed game and it was good to win.
“Technically, we learned a lot and it will help us as we prepare for domestic and continental matches,” Eguma told