Nnamdi Chukwu
GOALS from Nyima Nwagua Nekabari and Albert Korvah sealed a fine victory in a Nigeria Premier Football League rescheduled matchday 16 tie played yesterday (Thursday) at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium that puts Rivers United three points clear on top of Group B standings.
The Pride of Rivers flew out of the traps, snapping into tackles and pulling the visitors around as they looked to take advantage of any early vulnerabilities.
Within five minutes, Joseph Onoja sent a fine ball across goal that Morice Chukwu sliced off the goal post and not long afterwards a through pass caught Doma United out, with Joseph Onoja’s shot narrowly missing the target.
After Monday’s superb display and win at the same venue, this was much more like it and the crowd responded to the effort they were seeing from their team, raising the noise levels as the home team continued to press.
The outstanding Joseph Onoja was next to go close, connecting with Ebube Duru’s free-kick from the left but seeing his effort brilliantly pushed over the bar by Kingdom Osayi.
But less than 60 seconds later, Rivers United’s dominance was rewarded as Joseph Onoja found Nyima Nwagua in the area, whose sublime first touch squeezed his drive into the top corner. His fifth goal of the season.
Doma United were struggling to contain the team that just got knocked out of the CAF Confederation Cup, and Mohammed Shiraz was next to go close before the visitors enjoyed a spell of pressure – with Saifullahi Yusuf going closest to equalizing with Sochima Victor stretching full-length to save.
Morice Chukwu was inches away from doubling Rivers United’s advantage with a stunning kick, but Albert Korvah made no mistake moments later as he intelligently fired past Osayi from a tight angle after a set-up from Nyima Nwagua.
Emmanuel Oguche would hit the post just after the resumption of the second half, but the Rivers State darling team held firm and would have to do a lot more defending as Akinade Onigbinde’s side pushed for a way back into the game.
Rivers United however continued to threaten themselves after a shaky restart, with Ebube Duru and Kazie Enyinnaya creating havoc from the full-back positions.
The Savannah Tigers continued to pile on the pressure, but Rivers United stood firm – with Denis Ndasi and Anthony Ohaegbu positively relishing the battle – and finally, after a short spell of added time, the team had the win.
This result moves Rivers United three points ahead of second-placed Lobi Stars, with Doma United United trailing by seven points.
Rivers United will be back in Nigeria Premier Football League action on Sunday when they visit Rangers International in Awka for the final game of the season.
The team last faced the Flying Antelopes in the NPFL on 22 March, when Nyima Nwagua scored the winner as it recorded a 1-0 victory at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.
Eighteen-Eleven Media