Eguakun Seals Maximum Points for Rivers Utd

Fred Edoreh in Port Harcourt

With scores at 1-1 at regulation time with three minutes spent out of four minutes added time and FC IfeanyiUbah looking to steal away with a point from Port Harcourt, Efosa Eguakun brought out the long knife, masterminding a last minute attack from midfield and following up to deliver a clinical finish to give Rivers United a 2-1 win and maximum points.

The first goal of the Match-day 24 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) came for Rivers United via a penalty in the 60th after Stephen Eze handled the ball in the box and Ayo Saka fired hard to leave Bamba Drissa no chance to save.

IfeanyiUbah however levelled up also through penalty while Prince Aggreh who came on for Godwin Obaje in the second half slotted in perfectly.

IfeanyiUbah had a great chance to increase their tally when Rivers keeper Akande Abiodun rushed as far as to the half way to stop a counter with all his defenders across the divide but the Nnewi boys failed to take their chance in the ensuing throw in.

The winner by Eguakun who came in the final quarter to replace Lukman Mohammed, was a huge relief for the Rivers fans and officials who were apprehensive of dropping points at home after loses in two successive games after their last continental outing.

With the victory, coach Stanley Eguma believes his team showed great character in fighting till the end and the win will boost the confidence of the players ahead of the coming games and back into their continental campaign.

Interestingly, it was Eguakun’s first game in a very long time and only second in the season.

Eguma explained that the player is easily the best and most experienced in his team but that he had kept him out for long because he was battling with fitness and also fell ill on his return.

Elsewhere on the evening, Niger Tornadoes goalkeeper Mustapha Aliko bemoaned the three goals he conceded against top-flight side Wikki Tourists.

The Ikon Allah Boys were beaten 1-3 by the Bauchi Elephants in Sunday’s NPFL Match-day 24 clash at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium (ATBS) in Bauchi.

Goals off the foot of the trio of Chinedu Onyelonu, Victor Alegbe and Ahmed Usman were enough to hand the Bauchi landlords the three points at stake while Andrew Ikefe scored the consolation for the Minna outfit.