Rivers United spank Rangers 3-1

A sparkling first half performance by Rivers United set the tone for a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Enugu Rangers in an exciting Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game decided at the Yakubu Gowon (former Port Harcourt Liberation) Stadium on Sunday.

United were seemingly on the ropes before the contest with no less than five of their first team players unavailable either through suspension or injury.

In the absence of trusted personnel which included the club’s top scorer, Chinonso Okonkwo, United produced their best performance of the season as they dispatched the highly-rated Flying Antelopes with a barn-storming display.

United showed their intent early on when Chigozie Ihunda was presented with a one-on-one opportunity in the ninth minute following a shocking defensive error by Okey Odita.

The right back-turned auxiliary forward however opted to chip the goalkeeper, Emmanuel Daniel rather than go for power and the effort sailed harmlessly wide.

The home fans did not have to wait too long for the opening goal though and it arrived in the 17th minute.

Ihunda was upended in the box and Bernard Ovoke stepped up to dispatch the spot kick in cold-blooded fashion.

Four minutes later, the hosts were two goals to the good and the effort by Christian Weli will be talked about for many days to come.

The Rivers United midfielder picked up the ball about 30 yards out on the left and with the unsuspecting Rangers rear guard expecting a slow build up, Weli let fly from the outrageous distance and found the top left hand corner of Emmanuel Daniel’s goal.

The home fans went wild as they celebrated the effort which will definitely be in contention for goal-of-the-season.

United were flying and added a third goal-yet another out of the top drawer-on the stroke of half time, to virtually end the game as a contest.

A flowing team move which involved four United players was finished off, left footed by Ovoke, who fired into the roof of the Rangers net as the shell-shocked visitors struggled to contemplate what had hit them.

Rangers were to claim a consolation two minutes after the restart in fortuitous fashion with Olalekan Gabriel inadvertently diverting a cross from the right past Sunday Rotimi and into the United goal.

The two sides traded chances afterwards but the hosts always looked the likelier of the two sides to add to their tally.

Ofem Inah’s cross, with seven minutes remaining, was met by an Ihunda header which clattered against the post with Daniel beaten.