Ayo Saka scored a stunning goal to power Rivers United past Nasarawa United in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match decided in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
Saka was making only his second start for the club after his mid-season switch from Sunshine Stars but made the decisive contribution in the Matchday 20 clash at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium.
The midfielder latched onto a superb pass from John Odumegwu who had been slipped through by a deft bit skill by Obomate Frederick before firing past the Nasarawa United goalkeeper, Suraj Ayeleso in the 38th minute.
Five minutes earlier, Rivers United had been reduced to ten men after captain, Festus Austine was sent off for a second bookable offence after he handled the ball.
Rather than let their heads drop, the hosts stepped on the accelerator and deservedly took the lead through Saka’s supreme finish.
John Odumegwu should have doubled their advantage shortly before half time but shot straight at Ayeleso from point blank range.
The second half failed to march the first in terms of entertainment value as United held out for three vital points.
“I commend my boys for displaying grit to score and hold on till the end even with a man less,” Rivers United technical manager, Stanley Eguma told supersport.com after the game.
“Now, we must build on this and improve our position on the log.
“Nothing has been decided yet in the league and as long as there is a chance of amassing more points, we will continue fighting,” he said.
Rivers United moved up two places on the log as a result of the win and now occupy 11th place on the log with 27 points from 20 matches while Nasarawa United remain in ninth place with 27 points from 20 matches.
Match statistics
Rivers United: Sunday Rotimi, Ifeanyi Nweke, Zoumana Doumbia, Emeka Atuloma, Festus Austine, Ayobami Asekunowo, Obomate Frederick, (Onoriode Odah 80'), Emeka Ogbugh, Guy Keumian (Markson Ojobo 60'), Ayo Saka, John Odumegwu (Ifeanyi Okoye 86')
Substitutes not used: Femi Thomas, Chiwendu Ali, Israel Daniel and Yusuf Jaiyeola
Nasarawa United: Suraj Ayeleso, Yinka Onaolapo (Abubakar Abdullahi 78’), Emmanuel Makama, Eugene Obi, Seun Sogbeso, Jide Williams, Abdulrahman Bashir (Fabiyi Tayo 75'), Ishaya Anyu, Ocheme Edoh (Philip Auta 57’), Douglas Achiv and Adamu Hassan
Substitutes not used: Danlami Umar, Manga Mohammed, Abu Ahmed and Aminu Kadiri
Yellow cards: Abdulrahman Bashir 49', Sunday Rotimi 25', Festus Austine 25' and 31'
Red card: Festus Austine: 33’
Goal: Ayo Saka 38'
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