A solitary goal from defender Gabriel Olalekan was enough to hand hosts, Rivers United their third straight win on the bounce against Wikki Tourist at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt.
Fresh from their away win at Warri, the Pride of Rivers started the game as the brightest of the two sides when Midfielder Christian Weli fired wide in the first minute of the game.
Weli who was lively and in the mood all through the game saw his looping shot from 25 yards clatter against the upright with the Wikki Tourist Goalkeeper, Okoegbu Ndubuisi rooted to the spot.
In a one sided first half, Rivers United took the lead through an inform Bernard Ovoke's assist, the midfielder swung in a free-kick from the right which was met by a glancing header from Gabriel Olalekan.
Wikki Tourist’s top striker Godwin Obaje was kept quiet all through the game as services to the striker was in short supply. Just before half time Wikki's Hassan Hussein sent in a dangerous looking cross but his effort screaming for a tap in went begging with no one in yellow in sight to convert the chance.
With two substitutions in the 58th minute of the game made by the visiting team, Victor Yakubu and Eluma Sochima could not provide the much needed spark their team yearned for. With time running out Rivers United pushed for another goal but profligacy from their players was a concern for coach Stanley Eguma who took off the ineffective Godbless Asamoah and sent on Ebuka Nnaebuo but the second goal proved elusive as Rivers United hung on for the win.
