It’s been a nightmare start to the new year for Calabar Rovers FC and their coach, Samson Unanuel.
After a promising 2023 campaign that saw them sitting comfortably in second place in the NNL’s Conference A, just three points behind leaders Madiba FC, Rovers have plummeted down the table, failing to win a single game in January.
This dramatic fall from grace has left fans bewildered and searching for answers, Footballrover reports.
How did a team that looked poised for promotion suddenly find themselves floundering in the mid-table?
A Promising Start Gone Wrong
Rovers’ struggles began in controversial fashion with a narrow 2-1 away defeat to Ekiti United at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium.
Determined to bounce back, they returned home to face Beyond Limits but were dealt another blow, losing 3-2 in a disappointing performance.
Their next match, a daunting trip to face table-toppers Madiba FC, offered little respite.
Third-placed Calabar Rovers ready to take on NNL Conference A toppers, Madiba FC.
After suffering back-to-back defeat, can the Pride of Cross River pull a shocking result ?? pic.twitter.com/MJ4S71PXme
— ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????? (@Footballrover) January 19, 2024
The hosts proved too strong, snatching a 2-0 victory and extending Rovers’ winless streak to three games.
A Glimmer of Hope Dashed
Desperate to get their season back on track, the Pride of Cross River approached their home game against the Abia Comets with renewed hope.
The first half ended goalless, but their optimism was dashed in the second period when they conceded a goal and were forced to settle for a frustrating 1-1 draw.
This latest setback was a bitter pill to swallow for Rovers fans, who had seen their team drop from second place at the end of December to a lowly sixth position.
With Beyond Limits, Edel FC, Dakkada FC, and Smart City FC all leapfrogging them in the standings, the gap to the top has widened to an alarming eight points.
Can Rovers recover?
The question on everyone’s lips is: Can Calabar Rovers FC bounce back from this slump?
Their next fixture will be a crucial test of their character and determination. Will they find the resilience to climb back up the table, or will their struggles continue? Only time will tell.
Reasons for the Decline
Several factors may have contributed to Rover’s dramatic downfall. Some of the most likely culprits include:
Loss of confidence: The string of defeats may have eroded the players’ confidence, making it difficult for them to perform at their best.
Change in tactics: It’s possible that Coach Unanuel’s tactical approach is no longer working as effectively as it did in the first half of the season.
The road ahead
If the Calabar-based outfit are to turn things around, they will need to address these issues quickly.
They need to find a way to replace the goals and creativity lost, stay strong, and rediscover the form that made them such a force to be reckoned with in the early part of the campaign.
It won’t be easy, but with hard work and determination, Calabar Rovers FC can still achieve their goal of promotion to the NPFL.
The fans will be hoping to see their team back on track soon, and they will undoubtedly be roaring at them every step of the way.
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