NPFL: Rivers United in narrow lead, beat MFM 1-0  

PORT HARCOURT, Rivers, Nigeria – Rivers United continued their unbeaten start in the season with a 1-0 victory over MFM FC in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Sunday. It was a day MFM captain, Austine Opara will regret for years as he diverted the ball into his own net after Wasiu Jimoh’s dangerous cross caused havoc in the penalty area.

The first half was goaless. The hosts stepped on the accelerator in the second half and got due reward on the hour. Jimoh waltzed down the right flank and crossed with menace with Opara lounging desperately to put the ball beyond the reach of the MFM goalkeeper, Folarin Abayomi with United’s Ossy Martins.

Afterwards, technical manager of Rivers United, Stanley Eguma and his counterpart at MFM, FC Fidelis Illechukwu spoke to our official website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng (audio files have been attached) after the game. Sunday’s win takes United up to third on the NPFL log with five points from three matches while six points from four matches.

Squads  
Rivers United FC: Drissa Bamba, Ubakam Peter, Konan Ruffin, Ogar David, Kunle Odunlami, Temple Emekayi, Waheed Adebayo( Bright Onyedikachi 65′), Wasiu Jimoh, Ossy Martins, Cletus Emotan, Obomate Fredrick(Weli Christan 65′)  

Substitutes not used: Akande Biodun, Gbadebo Samson, Adebambo Ademola, Chigozie Ihunda, Malachi Ohanume   

MFM FC: Folarin Abayomi, Adeyinka Najeem, Zikiye Jonathan, Opara Austine, Abisoye Olawale, Akanni Elijah(Ohanu Michael 53′), Emiloju Julius(Kenedilum Chuks 30′), Tunde Akeem, Temim Adebayo( Alade Balogun 77′), Akuneto Chijioke, Adeniji Adewole.  

Substitutes not used: Isaac Jerry, Akpudje Joshua, Kenedinum Chuks, Abah Joshua, Mubarak Said