By Daily Sports on August 21, 2017

A scintillating first half performance from Rivers United gave them all three points against hard-fighting Enyimba FC in a Matchday 35 fixture of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Basking in the euphoria of their first away win this term last week against bottom-placed Remo Stars, the Pride of Rivers started the brighter of the two as they pressured their opponents with forays of attacks in the opening moments.

The match started on a blistering note as Bernard Ovoke took advantage of a foul on Abdoulaye Kanoute on the edge of the box to take an unstoppable free kick which gave United the lead in the fourth minute.

Kanoute later on took the spoils as he benefited from a defensive blunder from Enyimba's Dare Ojo. Ojo's back pass was intercepted by Kanoute and he composed himself to fire a cracker into the roof of the net to double United's lead.

Enyimba came close after a brilliant run by Stanley Dimgba but his inviting cross was wasted by Ibrahim Mustapha who had nothing else to do but only to put the ball in the back of the net with Thomas in no man's land. But it would not have counted as the flag was already up for offside.

The Peoples Elephant finally got their groove back and started showing class with incursions into the homers vital areas. Atchou rose highest to head home an Ikechukwu Ibenegbu corner kick to give Enyimba a lifeline. They went into the break 2-1 down and had all to do in the second.

The second half lost the spark that was very visible in the first as both managers made changes to their team to see out the game but United were resolved to dispel the fear of relegation and took all three points to improve their position on the league table.

The only attempt that wowed spectators in the second half was Kanoute's looping header that struck the crossbar in the 87th minute.

Enyimba witnessed a blip to their continental hopes but are upbeat according to their gaffer, Gbenga Ogunbote that with three games to the end, it is still possible as Enyimba have unfinished business on the continent.

•Photo shows coach Stanley Eguma of Rivers United.

Source Daily Sports

Posted August 21, 2017

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