Match report: Rivers United 1-1 Sunshine Stars 

Nyima Nwagua inspires Rivers United to pick late draw

WHAT HAPPENED

Alex Oyowah grabbed a late, late equaliser to salvage a point against Sunshine Stars.

We looked to be in control of the game with a very dominant display in the first half but it was a topsy-turvy second 45 minutes.

A mix up at the back ensured we were ruthlessly punished by Sunshine Stars, leaving us staring at the prospect of a first league home defeat of the season.

But with 3 minutes remaining of added time, inspirational captain Nyima Nwagua did well to set up Alex Oyowah who tucked home and level scores.

In the end we had to settle for a point, but it looked like being so much more than that after a promising start. Having picked a vital point away from home on Wednesday, we were raring to go early on, taking the game to our visitors from the kick off.

The early pressure failed to yield any fruit with Andy Okpe and Alex Oyowah coming close to giving us the lead

We sure deserved more after a lively start as we kept the intensity up, but Andy Okpe’s header from a move initiated by our safe hands Abiodun Akande, couldn’t give us the advantage,

Sunshine Stars slowly grew into the game, and the forward trio of Moses Omodumueke, Olalusi Michael and Ibrahim Yusuf were beginning to unsettle our defence.

And just on the stroke of half-time Abiodun Akande had to be alert to make a save.

Within seven minutes of the restart Sunshine Stars went ahead. A mix up at our back resulted in a goal mouth cramble that gifted Osimaga Duke whose shot was deflected into the net.

Technical Manager Stanley Eguma sent on inspirational captain Nyima Nwagua for the last 20 minutes or so and the decision proved decisive as the power forward immediately was involved in an interchange of passes with Joseph Onoja who set up a chance for Abba Suleiman, but he fluffed his shot.

Emmanuel Ampiah was then set up wonderfully by Alex Oyowah – Ampiah’s shot was too high to cause any trouble for the visitors.

But it was Sunshine Stars who almost struck next, again making the most of sloppy play from Rivers United. The Stars broke and Moses Omodumueke lashed in but rattled the crossbar to the relieve of fans on the stands.

it looked as though it would be Edith Agoye and his side who would take the spoils.

But then Alex Oyowah made his late, late intervention. Deep into injury time Endurance Ededebiri’s long ball was flicked on by Abba Suleiman into the path of Nyima Nwagua and his lovely touch on the ball fell to Alex Oyowah and he made no mistake to slot home.

TEAM NEWS

There were three changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Heartland FC in Owerri on Wednesday. Endurance Ebedebiri, Albert Korvah and Sadiq Abubakar came in for Uche John, Nyima Nwagua and Paul Acquah.

WHAT’S NEXT

Rivers United will be on the road to Katsina to face Katsina United on Katsina United.