Weli's strike hands Rivers Utd slim 1-0 victory over MFM FC
A solitary strike in the 30th minute from Christian Weli was all it took Rivers United to put hardfighting MFM FC to the sword in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) rescheduled Matchday 28 fixture at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
After a poor outing on the continent and deep in relegation waters, Rivers United knew they were condemned to win and started brightly, controlling the pace of the game and creating half chances.
The pressure on the away side paid off in the fourth minute as they conceded a penalty when Bernard Ovoke was upended in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Ovoke dusted himself up and took the resultant kick but was saved by MFM's goalkeeper, Abayomi Folarin. The rebound fell to Emeka Atuloma who miscued his effort wide.
The Pride of Rivers continued to mount more pressure on the visitors. Guy Keumian almost scored with a cheeky effort but it went over goalkeeper Folarin and over the bar.
Ovoke was the brightest Rivers United player in a dominant first half as he created chances for himself and fluffed some. In the 23rd minute, he ran onto a through-ball and took a fierce shot but narrowly missed target. Five minutes later, he forced Folarin to a good save with a bicycle kick from the edge of the box.
The goal came in the 30th minute when a long throw-in into the box was played on a plate by Mohammed Lukman for Weli who did well by finishing calmly from close range to give the home team the lead.
MFM also threatened occasionally with quick counter-attacks as Stephen Odey once found himself free in the box but the NPFL leading goalscorer's header was weak as goalkeeper Thomas collected easily. In the 40th minute, he also forced Thomas and Markson Ojobo into desperate blocks to thwart his attempts at goal.
The home side held on and went to the break with a 1-0 lead.
A tale of two halves, the Olukoya Boys went all-attacking in the second half running riot all over their hosts. They created chances after chances but were poor in front of goal. Adekunle Adegboyega's effort narrowly missed the near post in the 46th minute.
In the 52nd minute, a good team build-up saw Chukwuka Onuwa set up Sikiru Olatunbosun but his shot went wide off target. Three minutes later, Ojobo's timely interception in the box saved the blushes of United as an MFM promising attack was put out of play for a corner kick.
Olatunbosun of MFM and Weli of United came close in the later stages but the score line remained same as Stanley Eguma's team held on for the three points and moved out of the drop zone. United next travel to Ilorin to face ABS in a Matchday 29 fixture.
Match Details
Rivers United: Femi Thomas; Ifeanyi Nweke (Emeka Ogbugh 58'), Doumbia Zoumana, Ojobo Markson, Festus Austine, Olalekan Gabriel, Christian Weli, Emeka Atuloma, Ovoke Bernard (Bolaji Sakin 68'), Lukman Mohammed, Guy Keumian (Efosa Eguakun 82')
Unused Subs: Akande Abiodun; Ali Chiwendu, Daniel Israel, Yusuf Jaiyeola
Coach: Stanley Eguma
MFM FC: Folarin Abayomi; Olatunbosun Sikiru (Agbane Candy 79'), Uwaga Chuka, Okorom Stanley, Zikiye Jonathan, Bashiru Monsuru, Opara Austine, Tchato Gischard, Onuwa Chukwuka (Chijioke Akuneto 74'), Adegboyega Adekunle (Oladejo Oluwafemi 81'), Odey Stephen
Unused Subs: Nasamu Emmanuel; Elom Kenneth, Alashe Ajibola, Atu Irumekhai Paul
Coach: Fidelis Ilechukwu
STATS
Rivers United 1-0 MFM FC
Attempts: 10-10
On target: 4-3
Fouls: 22-7
Corner kicks: 5-1
Offside: 1:2
Caution: 3-2
Red card: 1-0
Man of the Match: Chukwuka Onuwa