Rivers United has finally broken their five-game winless drought, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Lobi Stars at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt. This crucial win was part of the Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 23 fixtures that took place last weekend.
The match was a tense and closely contested affair, with Lobi Stars, who were also desperate for a win, holding Rivers United to a goalless draw at halftime. As the game seemed to be heading for a stalemate, Timothy Zachariah stepped up to score the winning goal in the 88th minute, handing Rivers United the maximum three points.
This victory marked a significant turning point for Rivers United, as it not only ended their winless streak but also propelled them back to third place in the league standings with 38 points from 23 games. Moreover, it was the team’s first win of the year, providing a much-needed boost to their morale and momentum.
The win will undoubtedly ease the pressure on Rivers United’s coach and players, who had been facing criticism and scrutiny due to their recent poor form. With this victory, the team will look to build on this momentum and push for a stronger finish to the season.
In a thrilling encounter at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, Ikorodu City staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Kwara United and climb to seventh place in the standings with 34 points. The visitors took an early lead through Junior Aimufula’s second-minute strike, but Ikorodu City’s resilience paid off as they equalized through Toyeeb Ajeyigbe’s seventh-minute goal. Shola Adelani then sealed the win for the Lagos-based team with a 64th-minute strike.
Meanwhile, in Umuahia, Abia Warriors continued their recent resurgence with a convincing 3-0 victory over Sunshine Stars. The hosts took the lead in the 18th minute through Chidozie Iwundu’s own goal, before Antoine Ijoma and Segun Ogunjimi added further goals in the 36th and 90th minutes, respectively. This win propelled Abia Warriors to fourth place in the standings with 36 points, while Sunshine Stars remained in 17th place with 24 points.
In another key matchup, reigning champions Rangers International FC held Bayelsa United to a goalless draw in Yenagoa. Despite the lack of goals, the result had significant implications for the standings, as Rangers International FC moved to fifth place with 35 points, while Bayelsa United remained in 12th place with 29 points. The draw marked a frustrating outcome for the hosts, who were seeking to capitalize on their home advantage.
