NASARAWA United pipped Rivers United courtesy of a 16th minute goal from Adamu Hassan in a rescheduled Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) at the Lafia Township stadium, on Sunday, 30 April, 2017.
The ‘Pride of Rivers’ have lost their rescheduled two away games in a row to remained rooted on the 17th position while the ‘Solid Miners’ moved up to the 9th position in Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).
In the sixth minute, Nasarawa United’s Antonin Oussou missed a sitter in front of an empty net as Ifeanyi Nweke of Rivers United was booked for a clumsy tackle early on. The visitors were struggling to get a firm control of the possession of the ball as Nasarawa United were unable to be contained.
The opening goal of the evening was scored by Nasarawa United’s Adamu Hassan in the 17th minute as he pounced on a superb pass from team mate, Thomas Zenke, to put the ball at the back of the net.
Rivers United had an opportunity in the 22nd minute as a goal bound ball was cleared off the line at the nick of time by Nasarawa United Rabiu Shehu to keep the host afloat.
Nasarawa United were like a house on fire as Adamu Hassan yet again had his goal disallowed for an offside in the 32nd minute. Ten minutes later, Anthonin Oussou almost doubled the lead but his header ball was inches off the goal post with Rivers United goalie, Sunday Rotimi clearly beaten.
The second half was unchanged as the ‘Solid Miners’ proved their superiority over the ‘Pride of Rivers’ with lots of offensive plays to the amazement of the home fans who chanted praise songs.
Rivers United goalie, Sunday Rotimi, was the lifeline as he made lots of world-class saves and kept his team from not conceding more goals throughout the second half encounter.
POST MATCH REACTIONS
Kabiru Suleiman Dogo (Nasarawa United manager): The gaffer expressed that despite his team setting out their target to finish among the top 5 teams at the end of the first stanza, that being in the ninth position shows his team will have to step up their game.
“We are very happy to win and pick up the three points, despite being on break for about two weeks now, and against a team that has been very active and playing in the continent,”coach Dogo further said.
Thomas Zenke (Nasarawa United): The talented player voted as the ‘MAN OF THE MATCH’ said he was delighted to have such recognition. “I put up a good effort, but I will praise my team mates as well because we were all committed and we worked hard.”
Stanley Azunda Eguma (Rivers United manager): Coach Eguma was disappointed with the loss but affirmed that his team put up a good fight but they (Nasarawa United) made the most of their chances upfront. “My boys are suffering from fatigue from playing in the CAF Confederation Cup and without rest we played Katsina United three days ago,” said coach Eguma.
Festus Austine (Rivers United captain): “Losing to Katsina United was painful but losing now again to Nasarawa United is even more painful. But we have to keep on working and look ahead of the second round of the season.”
MATCH STATISTICS:
NASARAWA UNITED XI: Suraj Ayeleso, Yinka Onaolapo, Rabiu Shehu, Eugene Obi, Seun Sogbeso, Jide Williams, Thomas Zenke (Buhari Jaafar 80’), Antonin Oussou (Aminu Kadir 58’), Adamu Hassan, Abdulrahman Bashir and Douglas Achiv.
Substitutes not used: Danlami Umar, Emma Makama, Shammasu Mohammed, Manga Mohammed and Victor Okoro.
Manager: Kabiru Suleiman Dogo
RIVERS UNITED XI: Sunday Rotimi, Ifeanyi Nweke, Festus Austine, Emeka Atuloma, Gabriel Olalekan, Nzube Anaezemba, Esosa Igbinoba (Daniel Israel 54’), Emeka Ogbugh, Yusuf Jaiyeola, Bolaji Sakin (Bernard Ovoke 87’) Obomate Frederick and Doumbia Zoumana.
Substitutes not used: Abiodun Akande, Markson Ojobo, Joseph Douhadji, and Asamoah Godbless.
Manager: Stanley Azunda Eguma
Yellow Card(s):
Nasarawa United: Yinka Onaolapo (48’)
Rivers United: Ifeanyi Nweke (6’), Yusuf Jaiyeola (43’) and Obomate Frederick (79’).
Red Card(s):
Nasarawa United: Nil
Rivers United: Nil
Goal(s):
Nasarawa United: Adamu Hassan (17’).
Rivers United: Nil
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