Nasarawa United continued their miserable start to the season as a late goal by Ivorian import Guy Kuemian denied them an opportunity to register their first point of the season, losing 1-0 to Rivers United at the Yakubu Gowon stadium Port Harcourt.Playing their third of five games of the season due to continental engagements and placed at the foot of the log, the Solid Miners feared no fall as they came out solidly to play their host who had won their last two home games.
Nigeriasoccernet.com reports indicate Coach Kabiru Dogo and the players from the Lafia-based side had a game plan to contain the host and hit on the counter but they did much more controlling the tempo of the game and creating the better chances all through the game.
Nasarawa had a penalty shout as early as the 6th minute when Abdulrahman Bashir was put through on goal but he was thought to have been brought down in the box but the referee waved for a play on. Rivers United not learning their lessons still maintained a high line which Nasarawa exploited but the final ball was lacking.The Port Harcourt side managed by Stanley Eguma then came into the game midway with their direct approach creating half chances that started coming their way. Wilson Andoh wasted too much time on the ball when a weak Chukwunonso Okonkwo bicycle kick fell to him in the box. Obomate Frederick also shot wide when brilliantly set-up by Okonkwo's knock down.
The second half was livelier as high chances were being created on both ends but the best opportunity fell to Nweke Ifeanyi who danced into the box and fired a shot from a tight angle that Sunday Rotimi made a last ditch effort to save with his foot.
Eguma made changes bringing on Victor Alegbe, Asamoah Godbless and Guy Kuemian to salvage something and it was the former that stole the show as a lovely cross found him unmarked in the box and he smashed a cracker into the roof of the net with only two of the five additional minutes left to play.
Rivers United thus moved up two places to 5th position on the league table with nine points from five while Nasarawa moved down a grade to 20th with no points from three games. MATCH DETAILS
Rivers United XI Sunday Rotimi, Odinga Odinga, Chigozie Ihunda, Yusuf Jaiyeola, Gabriel Olalekan, Festus Austin, Benjamin Ovoke(57'), Chukwunonso Okonkwo(85'), Wilson Andoh(68'), Christian Weli, Frederick Obomate
Subs. Henry Ayodele, Joseph Douhaji, Ayobami Asekunowo, Guy Kuemian(57'), Victor Alegbe(85'), Godbless Asamoah(68'), Felix Benjamin Coach: Stanley Eguma
Nasarawa United XI Paul Danjuma, Ifeanyi Nweke, Emmanuel Makama, Obi Eugene, Samson Gbadebo, Shittu Abdulbasit, Bashir Abdulrahman(66'), Igbinoba Esosa(76'), Tayo Fabiyi, Ishaya Anyu, Thomas Zenke
Subs. Danlami Umar, Olayinka Onaolapo, Seun Sogbeso(76'), Yaro Bature(66'), Philip Azango, Aminu Kadir, Malachy Ilo Coach: Kabiru Dogo
Rivers United 1-0 Nasarawa United Guy Kuemian 90+3
STATS Shots: 7-6 On target: 3-2 Fouls: 14-16 Corners: 4-4 Offside: 3-1 Yellow cards: 0-2 Abdulbasit Shittu 18' Ishaya Anyu 26'
Man of the Match: Gabriel Olalekan
Venue: Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt