NPFL rescheduled game: Rivers Utd outsmart Sunshine Stars FC

Posted : 16 May 2023

The Pride of Rivers bounced back to winning ways on Monday after they outsmarted Sunshine Stars FC of Akure 1-0 in a rescheduled NPFL Match Day 12.

Africa Sport Network (ASN) reports that one of the outstanding fixtures of Rivers United FC due to the club's continental assignment was played at the Adokiye Stadium in Port Hacourt.

Recall that Rivers United suffered back-to-back defeats in its two cup games; the team lost out of the CAF Confederation Cup against Young Africans in the quarterfinals and also lost to Enyimba International FC of Aba in the Federation Cup cracker Round of 64.

However, for the rescheduled NPFL Match Day 12, the Pride of Rivers had to wait till the 27th minute before Maurice Chukwu broke the deadlock via a 23-yard strike. Sunshine Stars curtailed the home team in the early parts of the game, with the backline and midfield doing huge defensive work following Rivers United's onslaught.

In the 18th minute, Achi Nnaemeka was booked for a rough challenge on a Rivers United player, with the resulting free kick handled by the Sunshine Stars defence.

The first half ended 1-0 in favour of the home team. On resumption into the second half, Edith Agoye introduced Samson Olasupo, who replaced the injured Yusuf Ibrahim. His impact was immediately felt on the pitch, though.

In the 55th minute, Mustafa Lawal denied Rivers United a second goal with a diving save, and moments later, Imo Ikemdinachi blocked a goal-bound shot.

In search of an equalizer, Sunshine Stars made another substitution in the 65th minute, with Jide Jimoh and Michael Olalusi coming on for Mafeng Pam and David Onovo.

Efforts by the Sunshine Stars to get an important equaliser weren't coming as the water-logged pitch affected the free flow of passes by Sunshine Stars players Oge Emmanuel and Cletus Emotan, who were introduced in the 80th minute by Sunshine Stars coach, this time replacing Lucky Gyang and Achi Nnaemeka.

The match, however, ended 1-0 in favour of Rivers United.

As a result, Rivers United has now upstaged Lobi Stars to claim the first position in the league. Rivers United are on 30 points after 16 matches.

Sunshine Stars FC still occupies the 4th position on the league table with the outcome of the tie, thus pushing Super 6 qualification hope to the last day of the league season when they welcome Dakkada FC at the Ondo State Sports Complex.

Edith Agoye, in his post-match remarks, commended his players for a job well done, urging them to put the game behind them and forge ahead.

"It wasn't the result we wanted, but we look ahead and strategize ahead of our next match," he said.

NPFL rescheduled game: Rivers Utd outsmart Sunshine Stars FC

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