Rivers United remarkable winning streak and long unbeaten run came to an end on Thursday as they were defeated 1-0 by Sunshine Stars in their Nigeria Professional Football League match.

Rivers United’s 12-match unbeaten run came to an end at the Akure township stadium, thanks to Leonard Ugochukwu’s first-half goal.

The hosts seized the lead just five minutes into the game when Leonard Ugochukwu headed home the opener after Ikenna Cooper’s well-taken free kick fell to the 32-year-old forward.

The hosts take all three points#NPFL22 #MD24 #SUNRIV pic.twitter.com/5tvklM1XFQ

— Rivers United FC (@RiversUnitedFC) April 21, 2022

The visitors kept pushing for an equalizer, as Chijioke Akuneto lays a pass for Chimaka Madu 24 minutes into the game, but his shot flies wide and over the bar.

Sunshine stars forward, Leonard Ugochukwu came close to double his tally of the game two minutes into the second half, but his stunning header from 8 yards went over the bar.

In the 64th minute, Sochima Victor was called into action on one end, while Nyima Nwagua’s strike narrowly missed the target on the other.

Sunshine Stars continued to drive forward in numbers in the 78th minute, earning three corner kicks in rapid succession but failed to convert.

Benard Ovoke and Nelson Esor were introduced two minutes later to replace Ishaq Kayode and Chiamaka Madu, the two Rivers United goal scorers in their previous match against Enyimba.

But they failed to make any impact as the final whistle saw the home side seal the win and all three points.

FT: Sunshine Stars 1-0 Rivers United

We bring the leaders unbeating run to a halt on our home return.

Good contest Rivers United. Well done Stars👊🟠🔵#SUNRIV

— Sunshine Stars FC (@SunshineFCAkure) April 21, 2022

When Plateau United embarked on an 11-match unbeaten streak earlier this season and faced Sunshine of Akure at home, the Akure Gunners ended it as well.

The loss means that Stanley Eguma’s side will miss out on a seven-point advantage at the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League, as Plateau United lost 1-0 to Heartland of Owerri, thanks to a goal from Nwaodu Chukwudi.

When the Port Harcourt team takes on the 12th-placed Niger Tornadoes on Monday, they will be aiming to avenge their narrow defeat.

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