NPFL Match report: Rivers United vs Akwa United

The match kicked off five minutes before kickoff (3:55pm). It did not take too long as Rivers United attacker Bernard Ovoke gave the home side the lead in the third minute with a beautiful shot from the left. It was his fifth goal of the season .

Akwa united tried to silence the home crowd by getting an equalizer in the 8th minute when Ubong Friday wearing jersey number 7 fired a shot, from six yards out, but Rivers United Festus Austin provided the necessary block.

Rivers United continued the search for the second goal hoping to kill the game early enough but all effort went wasteful in the final third. One of such chances resurfaced in the 10 minute when Rivers United won a free kick. Up stepped Bernard Ovoke who delivered a telling cross but unfortunately there was no one to connect home.

Akwa united soon began to get into the game and it almost paid off in the 14th minute when Akwa United player Samuel Okon wearing jersey number 33 delivered a fantastic cross into the Rivers United box but Rivers United player Festus Austin who made an important block earlier with his body cleared this time again but with his head.

The first corner of the game went to Akwa United in the 15 minute but Ubong Friday blasted wide when he should have done better. From then on Akwa United took over the game and enjoyed a large share of possession.

Benard Ovoke went close in the 30 minute with a low shot, which fell into the path of Chinonso Okonkwo, but the captain of Akwa United Otobong Effiong was right on the spot to clear the danger. Minutes latter both Obomate and Ovoke missed goal scoring chances with both blasting wide.

In the 45th minute Obomate dribbled past two Akwa United player and laid a beautiful pass to Ovoke who wasted no time to find Godless Asamoah but the Ghanaian took a poor option which was to blast high enough over the bar an attempt which could kill a bird.

One minute of additional time was added and at the expiration of the one minute the referee ended the first half with the score at 1-0 in favour of Rivers United.

The second half kicked off with Akwa United making a substitution as jersey number 15 Emmanuel Ariwa made way for jersey number 4, Emeka Isaac.

It was a balanced game from then on, with the Akwa united midfield doing well to stop Obomate from linking Benard Ovoke. Rivers United soon made its first substitution in the 49th minute with Guy Kuemian coming in for Asamoah who got injured. Minutes later Akwa United Emeka Isaac blasted high over the bar from 30 yards.

In the 60th minute Obomate missed a glaring chance to make it 2-0 after Ovoke and Chinonso combined beautifully on the right flank to set him up. Three minutes later at the other end, Sunday Rotimi easily grabs Ubong Ekpai low drive.

Rivers united coach Stanley Eguma made a surprised change taking of goal scorer Bernard Ovoke for Kola Anubi his impact was instantly noticed as Rivers United became a little bit composed and solid in the midfield.

Game on, as Bassey Akpan makes a fantastic save from a corner kick by Chiwendu Ali. The ball was destined for the net.

Akwa United continued to ask questions as they throng forward searching for the equalizer. One of such moves saw Ukeme Davies head the ball wastefully from seven yards in the 82nd minute after receiving a delightful cross from Friday Ubong.

From then on Akwa United began to attack vehemently with a sole agenda of grabing the equalizer but that did not stop Rivers United old warhorse Kola Anubi to force Akwa United goalkeeper Bassey Akpan to make a world class save which saw him tip the ball over the bar at close range.

Three minutes of added time was added and Rivers United defended strongly to see out the additional minutes and return to as joint top of the NPFL.

Stats
Rivers United vs Akwa United

Attempts 12-10
Shots on Target 5-2
Fouls Committed: 14-15
Possession: 52:48
Corner kicks 8-5
Offsides 2-0
Yellow 1-0
Red 0-0

Match Gallary