NPFL: Rivers United Suffers Home Loss

Rivers United's Israel Daniel
In jersey number 16

After crashing out of the CAF Confederation Cup, Rivers United received more knocks at home as they were beaten by Sunshine Stars in Port Harcourt.

The Yakubu Gowon Stadium fortress has been penetrated and dismantled.

The home fans looked cold and more exhausted then the players on the pitch as they kept asking one another - Is this really our team?

No side, since February 19, 2016 had beaten the ‘Pride of Rivers’ at that venue in domestic competition but on Wednesday, July 19 2017, history was re-written.

Sunshine Stars became first side to trip Rivers United in front of their supporters this season following a stunning 1-0 victory on match day 30 of the NPFL.

The Akure Gunners looked fit and full control from the blast of the whistle.

The score line undermines the heroics of Sikiru Alimi whose legitimate strike on the stroke of half time was controversially ruled out for offside.

At half time, the alarm bells were ringing for the home side but the visitors’ first-half display of intent proved to be a premonition the hosts refused to heed.

Sunshine Stars continued to carve the more clear cut openings and would get due reward with just over 20 minutes remaining when Thompson headed home an Otegbeye Ajibola cross from the left.

Rivers United have dropped two places on the log and now occupy 15th spot with 37 points from 28 matches while Sunshine Stars climbed out from the relegation zone.

The Akure club are now in 14th place on the NPFL log with 39 points from 30 matches.

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