Rivers United maintain terrific form, evict the Umuahia Landlords

Rivers United faced Abia Warriors in the first Matchday Two fixture of the 2020/21 NPFL season at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba, temporary home ground of the Warriors. Before today, Rivers United had lost 9 of their 10 previous encounters away at Eastern clubs, and had never beaten Abia Warriors at their Umuahia home ground. The Stanley Eguma-tutored Rivers United looked to do things differently and ride the wave that was their Matchday One victory over Rangers International, another Eastern club. Warriors coach, Imama Amapakabo however, was looking to secure a first win with his new club.

It was Rivers United who took the initiative early on by quickly getting on the front foot, and their efforts were rewarded in the 19th minute, when Bamba Bakari found Fortune Omoniwari, who finished with aplomb to score in his third consecutive game for the club, after goals against Rangers in Matchday One and Bloemfontein Celtic in the CAF Confederation Cup. From then onwards, they defended stoutly and protected their one goal advantage. Rivers United finished the game with 10 men, after Nelson Esor picked up his second booking in the 73rd minute. Rivers United also finished their game against Rangers with 10 men, but managed to keep a clean sheet. They’ve managed to keep 2 clean sheets in 2 games, and now they have moved to the top of the league.

Stanley Eguma’s thoughts surely now have shifted to the visit of South African side, Bloemfontein Celtic to the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium for their CAF Confederation Cup second leg match. They won away in the first leg 2-0 with goals from Omoniwari and Godwin Aguda.