Abdulazeez Abdulwahab
NYIMA Nwagua’s strike on 38 minutes cancelled out Chisom Okereke’s 20th-minute goal as Rivers United Thursday evening (yesterday) rounded off 2023 with a frustrating draw against Bendel Insurance at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
While the Pride of Rivers were unlucky at home, it wasn’t the same scenario for Rangers International of Enugu as they recorded a convincing 2 – 0 win over Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), of Ibadan at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
In Enugu, both sides started the game on a promising note with the Flying Antelopes, buoyed by the presence of hundreds of their fans, denied an early goal by Darlintin Ovunda’s brilliance, while Ayobami Adekunle and Daddy Abdulrahman came close to scoring early for the Oluyole Warriors.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 26th minute through Kalu Nweke who nodded home Kenechukwu Agu’s cross.
The homers held onto the lead till the end of the first half.
On resumption for the second half, coach Gbenga Ogunbote made two changes, bringing in Christian Pyagbara and Kareem Demola for Anayor Ogbonna and Ayobami Adekunle.
The substitutions changed the tide of the game in the favour of the visitors who piled incessant pressure on the hosts but could not translate their efforts into a goal.
The introduction of Ayobami Junior and Douglass Archiv added more bite to the Warriors’ attack, as they intensified their efforts to equalise but the Rangers’ defence and goalkeeper Detan Ogundare’s reflexes denied them the leveller.
Rangers sealed their win through Chidozie Okorie, who fired home the second goal in the 88th minute of the encounter.
In Port Harcourt, it was a high-key first half, the Benin Arsenal were first to spring to life when Chisom Okereke slotted in from close range as we failed to clear our lines.
But moments later Rivers United burst forward and Alex Oyowah saw his shot from inside the area squirm just past the near post after an initial save from Amas Obasogie in goal for Bendel Insurance. With clear-cut chances few and far between, Rivers United came closest through Joseph Onoja whose shot on target was deflected by his teammate for a goal kick in the 26th minute before later seeing Obasogie make another save off the boots of Kazie Enyinnaya on 30 minutes.
Patience was the name of the game, and the Pride of Rivers created the best chance and drew level as Alex Oyowah found Nyima Nwagua inside the box. Rivers United captain turned his marker intelligently before sending a chip pass Amas Obasogie with 7 minutes remaining of the half.
Sadiq Abubakar’s shout for a penalty 5 minutes into the second half fell on dear ears as he went to the ground after what looked like a push from behind. The home side came close to taking the lead when, on the hour mark, Alex Oyowah and Andy Okpe combined well on the edge of the area before Obasogie saved from our top man.
As the clock ticked on, the home team’s urgency increased but continued to find it difficult to find a way through, while Amas was called on to make a sharp save from Kazie Enyinnaya late in the game as both teams had to settle for a share of the spoils.
With 16 points from 11 matches, Rivets United sit in 16th position on the NPFL log but with 5 outstanding matches left to be played.
The team next travels to the Pantami Stadium on Sunday 7 January 2024 for a blockbuster clash with Gombe United.
Eighteen-Eleven Media