Rivers United strengthened their grip on first place in the Nigeria Premier Football League after edging Rangers International 1–0 on Sunday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.
The hosts nearly took an early lead when winger Aniekeme Okon tested goalkeeper George Abine in the 16th minute, but the Rangers shot-stopper stood firm. Both sides battled intensely, with little separating them before halftime.
The breakthrough arrived seven minutes after the restart as central defender Boluwaji David Sholumade rose to head home, giving Finidi George’s team the advantage.
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Rangers pushed hard for a late equaliser and briefly thought they had succeeded, only for referee Moukhtar Bashir to chalk off the goal for a foul. Rivers United were then forced to show resilience to protect their slim lead until the final whistle.
That decisive header ensured the Pride of Rivers moved four points clear at the summit, ahead of second-placed Abia Warriors on 33 points. The NPFL resumes its second round on January 14, 2026, while the mid-season transfer window opens on January 1 and closes on January 31.
