A first half display that produced three goals by Rivers United proved too much for Rangers International to recover from in Sunday's NPFL match.
Despite improving marginally in the second half which saw Rivers defender Gabriel Olalekan turn the ball into his own net to reduce the deficit, a Bernard Ovoke penalty, a 25-metre screamer by Christian Weli and a delightful toe poke to the top right corner of the net by Ovoke had all but finished the job within the opening 45 minutes.
Rangers were without playmaker Obinna Nwobodo but the fact Bobby Clement, Chisom Egbuchulam and Godwin Aguda were never at the races meant their fans had to endure an off-colour performance all through.
Rivers United on their part scored with their first four shots on target after Chigozie Ihunda's cheeky lob in the 10th minute missed by a few inches. In the 17th minute, Ovoke profited from the spot after a foul by Rangers captain Okey Odita on the impressive Ihunda. It was the least the home team deserved for an energetic start.
Four minutes later, the second arrived. Most of the crowd at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt hardly anticipated Weli's audacious long range shot. Certainly not Rangers keeper Emmanuel Daniel as a pass was the most likely option from well away from goal. But the ball was already in his net before he could scramble into position.
Four minutes later, the second arrived. Most of the crowd at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt hardly anticipated Weli's audacious long range shot. Certainly not Rangers keeper Emmanuel Daniel as a pass was the most likely option from well away from goal. But the ball was already in his net before he could scramble into position.
Ovoke's second of the evening was pure class. He turned his marker in the box before his toes lifted the ball beyond Daniel and into the top right corner of the net.
Rangers had more shots at goal overall but it was Rivers United that always created the better openings. Substitute Kola Anubi had a point-blank header pushed against the post by Daniel with five minutes left.
That was on the dot of 45 minutes of play. Just a few seconds before that, Imama Amakapabo had seen enough of his lethargic forward line led by Bobby Clement. The big man was removed for Osas Okoro so the space constantly gifted Rivers United could be blocked and some creativity injected into the midfield.
But it yielded little. Their sub par approach to the game meant a comeback never looked likely following on from Olalekan's own goal two minutes into the second half.
When Godwin Aguda inexplicably shot over the bar from four yards out with a minute left, Rangers knew their day had well and truly ended, in defeat.
Match Stats
Goals: Rivers Utd 3-1 Rangers Int'l
Shots on: 5-4
Shots off: 3-7
Corners: 1-4
Yellow card: 2-0
Red card: 0-0
Offsides: 1-0
Shots on: 5-4
Shots off: 3-7
Corners: 1-4
Yellow card: 2-0
Red card: 0-0
Offsides: 1-0
