Rivers United assistant coach Yemi Olanrewaju has blamed the team’s recent struggles on their demanding schedule this season. He said the congested fixtures are affecting performance levels.

The Port Harcourt side suffered a 1-0 defeat to Niger Tornadoes in a rescheduled NPFL matchday 26 fixture. The loss added to their growing list of setbacks.

Terdoo Shimagande scored the only goal of the match in the 67th minute, securing victory for Tornadoes. Rivers United failed to respond despite efforts to equalize.

The defeat marked Rivers United’s third consecutive away loss, raising concerns among fans and analysts about the team’s form. Their performance on the road has been particularly challenging.

Olanrewaju explained that the club’s involvement in continental competitions has led to fixture congestion. According to him, playing multiple matches within a short period has taken a toll on the players.

He added that the team must find a way to cope with the pressure as the season progresses, stressing that every club is competing for important objectives in the league.