By John Diidi.
‘Pride of Rivers’ Rivers United, yesterday at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium rallied round to get a point against visiting Enyimba in one of Sunday’s NPFL match day 5 fixtures. The tie ended 1-1.
Eguma’s men were daring from the beginning and almost got the opener inside three minutes, when Sochima found his way beyond the visitors’ defence, but had his effort saved by Fatau Dauda.
Moments later, Nelson Ogbonnaya diverted Sochima’s low strike away from hitting back of the net as Enyimba continued to be pegged back. Sochima would make way for Daniel following an injury at the half hour mark.
Enyimba, drew first blood after Gabriel Olalekan upended Chinonso Okonkwo inside the area to earn Enyimba a penalty. Stanley Dimgba stepped up to send Rotimi Sunday the wrong way in what was the last action of the half.
Rivers United resumed with intent of levelling terms as Eguma committed more men forward in a formation switch. The gamble almost paid off in the 56 minutes, but Dauda had better ideas as his intervention denied Bakari Bamba from six yards.
The home side almost got themselves into a pretty difficult situation as Enyimba capitalized on their quest for goals to catch them on the break. Rotimi stretched at full length to keep out Chinedu Udeagha’s header from Dimgba’s cross in the 63 minutes.
Rivers United would wait till the 77th minute to level terms, the hosts had to look in the direction of an unlikely source, Israel Daniel, l who came on for Elum Social as he headed home a Markson Ojobo’s cross to earn themselves a point in a tightly contested fixture.
Chinonso Okonkwo was sent off in the 82nd minute, following a second bookable offence, but the home side could not get past a resolute Enyimba defence, who held on to secure a point.
TEAMS
Rivers United: Rotimi; Ojobo, Ali, Afolabi, Olalekan, Festus, Sochima, Akinbinu, Kuemain, Salefu, Bakari
Enyimba: Dauda; Onaolapo, Francis, Ogbonnaya, Oladuntoye, Abalogu, Okonkwo, Udeagha, Dingba, Atchou
