Rivers United came from behind to secure a 2-1 win against Abia Warriors during their Nigeria Professional Football League on Sunday. A brace from Chijioke Akuneto was all the Port Harcourt outfit needed to seal the victory.

Coach Stanley Eguma made six changes to the lineup that faced Wikki Tourist FC in Bauchi on matchday 32.

Darlingtin Ovunda, Kazie Enyinnaya, Temple Emekayi, Ishaq Rafiu Kayode, Chiamaka Madu, and Solomon Okuruket were all selected to start the game.

The visitors got off to a quick start, with Rivers United hardly getting a touch of the ball before the Warriors struck the back of the net.

Abia Warriors took the lead just a minute into the game, thanks to Anthony Okemmiri, who scored the game’s first goal.

With a 1-0 deficit, the first half finished with the home team chasing down their guests.

Rivers United came out stronger in the second half, looking for a goal. Ishaq Rafiu Kayode and Morice Chukwu both came within inches of scoring in the 51st and 57th minutes, respectively.

In the 60th minute, coach Stanley Eguma opted to add some spice to the game by replacing Solomon Okuruket and Ishaq Rafiu Kayode with Malachi Ohawume and Nelson Esor.

The Pride of Rivers were granted a penalty four minutes later after Nelson Esor was fouled in the box by a Abia Warriors’ defender.

Chijioke Akuneto ramped up and scored his 15th goal of the season from the penalty spot to bring his side back into the match.

It appeared that the game would end in a tie until Rivers United got another chance in the 77th minute.

Kazie Enyinnaya pounced on Nelson Esor’s set-up, overtook his opponent, and laid it on a platter for Chijioke Akuneto, who lobbed it over a helpless Pius Ibrahim to give United the lead and his 16th goal of the season.

After the final whistle, the players ecstatically embraced their hard-earned victory, which puts Rivers United in first place, 10 points ahead of second-placed Plateau United, with five games remaining in the season.

⏱️ FT
Rivers United 2-1 Abia Warriors
3 points in the bag.#NPFL22 #MD33 #RIVABI

— Rivers United FC (@RiversUnitedFC) June 12, 2022

To face Rangers International FC in their next NPFL game, River United will travel to Awka, Anambra state.

𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕? 𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒙!

Last Updated on June 13, 2022 8:02 am by Sir Kris