In a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League matchday 22 fixture in Ilorin on Wednesday, Rivers United rescued a dramatic late point against Kwara United, but the contest was overshadowed by crowd trouble that left visiting players and officials stranded inside the dressing room long after the final whistle.
The Port Harcourt based side were playing their first league game in a month, having last featured in a 1-0 victory over Remo Stars in Port Harcourt before shifting focus to continental duties in the Champions League.
The pride of Rivers’ absence from Nigerian Premier Football League action saw them relinquish top spot, with Ikorodu City and Enugu Rangers moving above them, although Rivers still have games in hand.
Notwithstanding, the Ilorin based club began brightly at the Kwara State Stadium, and Rivers goalkeeper Osagie Onisodumeya was called into action early as the hosts pressed forward. Meanwhile, the Finidi George’s men gradually grew into the contest and nearly took the lead in the 27th minute when Nnaji shrugged off his marker and aimed for the corner, only for Kwara goalkeeper Suraj Ayeleso to make himself big and deny him.
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The Matchday 22 breakthrough came four minutes later when Shamsudeen Muhammed latched onto a ball played over the top in the 31st minute and fired past Onisodumeya to hand Kwara United a 1-0 lead.
No doubt, the Pride of Rivers actually struggled to respond before the interval, with Nnaji booked late in the half as tempers began to rise.
Upon their return to the pitch for another 45 minutes, it is claimed that the second half followed a similar pattern, with Rivers United pushing for an equaliser and Kwara attempting to protect their advantage. But unfortunately for them, in the 68th minute, Chijioke Mbaoma found space inside the box but fired into the side netting. Fifteen minutes later, Maclyn Obiokpo burst past his marker, Arinze, and created a shooting opportunity, but dragged his effort wide of the target.
