Lobi Stars grab point in Port Harcourt

Rivers United fired blanks against a spirited Lobi Stars side on Sunday in Port Harcourt in a largely uninspiring 0-0 draw as the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) entered match day five.

The highlight of a poor first half lacking in genuine quality was recorded in the 27th minute when the Lobi Stars goalkeeper, Okiemute Odah performed a brilliant double save to deny Bernard Ovoke from point blank range.

Two minutes Ovoke was denied, Odah against prevented the hosts from sneaking ahead when he kept out Emeka Ogbugh’s tame header with a simple save.

Lobi’s best effort of the half arrived in the 14th minute but Festus Austine defended well to deny Kingsley Eduwo during a frantic goal mouth melee.

Clear cut chances were at a premium in the second half as defences dominated.

The Rivers United technical manager, Stanley Eguma didn’t exactly cut a happy figure after the game as he voiced his sentiments on the result to assembled media at the post-match press conference.

Match statistics

Rivers United: Femi Thomas, Ojobo Markson, Wassa Gabriel, Aliassou Sanou (Yusuf Jaiyeola 60’), Olalekan Gabriel, Festus Austine, Ovoke Bernard (Bolaji Sakin (66’), Lukman Mohammed (Kuemian Guy 65’), Esosa Igbinoba, Nzube Anaezemba and Emeka Ogbugh.

Substitutes not used: Sunday Rotimi, Ayobami Asekunowo, Zoumana Doumbia and Weli Christian.

Lobi Stars: Okiemute Odah, Kwambe Solomon, Bunde Moses, Joseph Nathaniel, Agbaji Anthony, David Tyavkase (Itodo Cletus 90’), Alimi Sunday, Eduwo Kingsley (Barnabas Daniel 53’), Nwangwa Nyima, Dennis Nya and Chinedu U. James.

Substitutes not used: John Lawrence, Luter Iyorhe, Rufus Omotayo, Gwaza Iorliam and Sunday Emmanuel.