NPFL: Rivers United Keep Continental Ticket Hope Alive After Defeat To FC Ifeanyi Ubah

NPFL: Rivers United Keep Continental Ticket Hope Alive After Defeat To FC Ifeanyi Ubah By Niyi Busari Rivers United are hopeful of representing Nigeria in the CAF Inter-Club competition with their recent form in Aiteo Cup and the Nigeria Professional Football League, BSNSports.com.ng can report. Having booked a semi-final ticket in the Aiteo Cup, the Pride of Rivers are placed 5th on the NPFL log with two points separating them from the second placed Nasarawa United. In their match-day 35 win over FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Sunday Adetunji rolled home a nerveless second-half finish as Rivers United kept their hope for a continental spot alive. Lookman Binuyo had put Rivers United ahead when he struck awesomely into the bottom corner off a free kick in the opening half, but after a determined FC IfeanyiUbah side repeatedly threatened to draw level, Sunday Adetunji expertly rounded up FC IfeanyiUbah's goalkeeper Chimezie Akwari to seal a huge three points. It was just reward for a hard-working, battling performance. Rivers United started like a side determined to bounce back to winning ways in the league, and soon started to rack up the shot count in the opening half. Ifeanyi Anaemena, Nelson Esor and Chigozie Ihunda came close to scoring in the opening 10 minutes, but it was combative midfielder Lookman Binuyo who broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when his swerving shot from a free kick beat Awari from 20 yards. At first glance it appeared as though the shot must have taken a deflection, but it was simply the movement on the ball that had deceived the keeper. The half continued to be almost a one sided affair, Godwin Aguda had a chance charged down in the area before FC IfeanyiUbah's Chinecherem Igboeri was flagged offside as the tried to push forward. Rivers United were also looking dangerous when breaking and it paid off moments later. Sunday Adetunji flicked a header from the halfway point to Nelson Esor who does brilliantly to laid a defense-splitting pass back to Adetunji who rounds the goalkeeper to extend the "Pride of Rivers" lead. Rivers United's safe hands Darlington Ovunda was the star performer of the match as he made three spectacular saves after the interval to ensure the scoreline remained 2-0 at full time. With Akwa United (67pts), Nasarawa United (61pts), Kano Pillars (61pts) and Enyimba FC (61pts) all winning on Sunday, Rivers United (59pts) remain in 5th place in the NPFL League. Rivers United will be guest to MFM FC at the Agege Stadium in Lagos on Wednesday 28th July, 2021. They will then switch their attention to the AITEO Cup, to take on Bayelsa United on Friday 30th July, 2021 in a battle for the finals ticket. There are now three (3) games remaining in the Nigeria Professional Football League season and the race for the top four is heating up.