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Nassarawa pip Rivers 1-0

By Daily Sports on July 3, 2016

Abdulrahman Bashir struck on the hour to inspire Nasarawa United to a 1-0 win over Rivers United in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match played on Saturday.

Stanley Eguma, the Rivers United technical manager, handed debuts to Markson Ojobo and Idris Aloma while Aremu, Afeez who started in the club’s last NFPL fixture against FC Ifeanyiubah in Nnewi, was dropped to the bench.

Nasarawa United’s trainer, Kabiru Dogo, opted for a strong defensive spine that included goalkeeper Suraj Ayeleso, Ifeanyi Nweke and Lordson Ichull.

Exciting attacking talent Abdulrahman Bashir, Thomas Zenke and Esosa Igbinoba were all unleashed on the Pride of Rivers by Dogo.

As expected, the hosts threatened first at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi but the Rivers United captain, Festus Austin, produced a heroic bit of defending to deny Tayo Fabiyi from opening the scoring in the 10th minute.

Three minutes later, Nasarawa United came close again through Ifeanyi Nweke who controlled Emmanuel Makama’s cross well enough before firing his effort wide off Sunday Rotimi’s right-hand post.

The visitors finally stirred from hibernation with left-back Chiwendu Ali passing delightfully to Chinonso Okonkwo whose heavy first touch saw the chance go up in smoke.

Rotimi had to be at alert to deny Igbinoba whose brilliantly-taken free kick appeared destined for the top corner.

The home side missed a glorious opportunity to take the lead seven minutes before half time when Fabiyi came face to face with Rotimi but the veteran shot-stopper read the danger well and cleared impressively to snuff out the danger.

Both sides traded chances in the second half but Abdulrahman’s goal proved to be the difference in the end.

After the game, Eguma lamented the failure of his side to convert their chances while ruing "one bad mistake in defence" made by his charges.

“We made one bad mistake in defence and could not recover.

“We had chances of our own but failed to take them, but we will learn from this,” he told supersport.com after the game.

Rivers United stay in third place despite the loss while Nasarawa United climb to seventh. (Supersports.com)

•Souced from supersports.com. Photo shows Nasarrawa United.

Source Daily Sports

Posted July 3, 2016