Abiodun Jimoh
Rivers United emerges champion of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super 4 tournament after defeating Wikki Tourists 1-0, while Rangers failed to beat FC Ifeanyiubah in second game of final Matchday.
The NPFL runners up dominated proceedings in the first half and were rewarded early as Guy Kuemian’s 5th minute goal ultimately proved enough for Stanley Eguma’s wards to secure all three points.
The Port Harcourt based side almost double their lead in 32nd minute, when the marauding right-back, Ifeanyi Nweke’s delivery was falling graciously for Kuemian in the box but just as he was set to pull the trigger, Nnaemeka Anyanwu’s last ditch interception saved the situation for Wikki.
The club showed their resilience in second half to hang in to survive Wikki’s unrelenting forays.
In the process, keeper Abiodun Akande became a ‘screaming keeper.’ as he was shouted himself hoarse organising his defence against the rampaging opposition.
Eguma tightened up things at the back bringing in Joseph Douhadji for Gabriel Olalekan. Douhadji’s partnership with charismatic captain Festus Austine at the heart of defence helped to keep Wikki at bay.
In the 67th minute, Sadiq Adamu teed on Muktar Alhassan but his effort narrowly missed target.
Then in the 72nd minute, Christopher Waziri’s goal-bound free kick was nodded off the line by Austine. From the ensuing corner, Harrison Madu’s volley was inches wide.
In the 81st minute, Omo Johnson let fly a cannon from the edge of the box but Akande was in a good position to gather the ball.
Six minutes later, Adamu’s ‘wicked’ delivery was headed for the top corner before Akande tipped over.
Ultimately, Rivers United hung in to secure a victory that highlighted their grit. A display that should come in handy on those Champions League nights on away soil when only resilience can bring favourable results.
