WHAT HAPPENED
Rivers United scored twice in the second half to complete a stunning comeback and take all three points.
It wasn’t the best of starts from the Pride of Rivers who were under pressure from Abia Warriors in the opening seconds of the game.
The visitors took a shock lead less than a minutes after kick off through a thunderous shot from outside the box from Anthony Okemmiri.
Chijioke Akuneto could have put his side level in the 18th minute with Warrior goalkeeper Pius Ibrahim making an important save. The Stanley Eguma tutored side eventually grew into the game and had a few opportunities to level the score in the first half but nothing materialized.
Rivers United kept on putting pressure on Abia Warriors for most parts of the game and had some attempts at goal.
In the 64th minute, the equaliser finally came and it was the substitute Nelson Esor and Ebube Duru that combined. Ebube Duru made a through pass the right channel and Nelson Esor was shoved in box winning a penalty. Chijioke Akuneto on a second attempt fired into the back of the net to make it 1-1.
At 1-1 the game opened up and both sides kept on looking for the winning goal, the visitors missed an opportunity when Vincent Odoh’s effort went wide.
It looked like it would end as a stalemate but Rivers United got an opportunity in the 77th minute.
Kazie Enyinnaya latched onto Nelson Esor’s setup, outran his marker before laying it on a plate for Chijioke Akuneto who despite under pressure chipped it over a stranded Pius Ibrahim for United lead and his 16th goal of the current campaign.
The players emotionally celebrated after the final whistle for what was a hard-earned victory.
WHAT THIS MEAN
The win leaves Rivers United in number one spot, 10 point ahead of second placed Plateau United with 5 match left in the season.
WHAT NEXT
River United will make a short trip to Awka, Anambra state to face Rangers International FC.
Charles Mayuku
MO, Rivers United
13th June, 2022
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