Bernard Ovoke’s lone strike earned Rivers United a 1-0 home win over Kano Pillars on Sunday in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Week 12 game.
David Obiazor in goal for Pillars prevented Rivers United from scoring in the 20th minute, before Fredrick Obomate's flying header in the 30th minute missed by a whisker.
Rivers United coach, Stanley Eguma, had a selection dilemma which was centered on the right replacement for the injured Guy Kuemian, who limped off in last weekend's defeat at Heartland.
Wilson Andoh was picked to partner Chinonso Okonkwo who had be firing from all cylinder, having scored three goals in his last three League appearances. Ovoke was on the bench.
United started brighter of the two sides and forced a succession of corner kicks in the 2nd minute of the game which the visitors dealt with sturdily before a nasty clash of heads saw the Pillars skipper Gambo Mohammed get stretched off in the 19th minutes.
After a lengthy treatment which confirmed his inability to continue the game, Emmanuel Edmund came on in his stead.
Rabiu Ali had a sniff in the 20th minute from a free kick at the edge of the United box but he fired wide.
In the 30th minute Pllars goalkeeper David Obiazo denied Rivers United Weli's a glorious chance with an outstretched leg. Omo Johnson and Frederick Obomate had chances at either goal posts but both missed the targets firing over the bar .
In the 44th minute Rivers United goal keeper Sunday Rotimi made a brilliant save to deny Emmanuel Edmund of Kano Pillars a chance. The referee added 3 minutes which produced no goal.
Kano Pillars continued there search for a goal as Prince Aggreh and Omo Johnson ran the Rivers United defence rugged with the aim to spring surprises.
In the 67th minute,Eguma withdrew Andoh for Ovoke and cometh the hour cometh the man as in the 77th minute he banged in the goal tapping into an empty net to hand United the lead.
In the 90th minute attempted to curl in a free kick but Kano Pillars goalkeeper Obiazo tipped his effort over.
Match details
Rivers United: 22. Sunday Rotimi, 2. Chigozie Ihunda, 33. Ofem Inah, 21. Yusuf Jaiyeola, 12. Gabriel Olalekan, 19. Festus Austine, 20. Obomate Frederick, 18. Andoh Wilson, 14. Chinonso Okonkwo, 27. Weli Christian, 8. Ebuka Nnaebuo
Subs: 25. Anyalogu Godwin, 3. Ali Chinwendu, 5. Douhadji Joseph, 7. Ovoke Bernard, 16. Daniel Israel, 26. Kola Anubi, 28. Obinze Godwin
Kano Pillars: 22. David Obiazo, 6. Zaharadeen Bello, 26. Zikiye Jonathan, 18. Bala Mohammed, 5. Alimi Jamiu 3. Adamu Murtala, 7. Prince Aggreh, 28. Ifeanyi Matthew, 9. Gambo Mohammed, 10. Rabiu Ali, 25. Omo Johnson
Subs: 1. Yusuf Mohammed, 33. Nura Ibrahim, 4. Joel Djondang, 29. Emmanuel Edmund, 16. Nafiu Ibrahim, 17. Shagari Mohammed, 8. Adamu Mohammed
Stats
Attempts: 12-6
Shots on target: 8-3
Fouls committed: 14-12
Corner kicks: 6-4
Offsides: 3-1
Yellow: 1-1
Red: 0-0
Attempts: 12-6
Shots on target: 8-3
Fouls committed: 14-12
Corner kicks: 6-4
Offsides: 3-1
Yellow: 1-1
Red: 0-0
By Chinedu Okorodike
