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Rivers United moved to the top of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League table after a hard-fought 2-1 win over 2021 champions Akwa United at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Sunday, The PUNCH reports.
Former Akwa United striker Ndfireke Effiong was the nemesis of his former club, as he marked his return to the league with the matchwinner in the 85th minute for the Pride of Rivers.
Finidi George’s side took the lead in the 32nd minute courtesy of Stephen Manyo, but their visitors pegged them back immediately after the restart through Friday Akpollos.
Ndfireke, who left Akwa United in January 2023 for stints in Iraq and Morocco, had the final with the winner five minutes left on the clock.
The win powered Rivers to the summit of the NPFL table, with 13 points after five games.
Rivers’ ascendancy was also due to Remo Stars’ 1-0 defeat to Kwara United in Ilorin, as Daniel Ogunmodede’s team were beaten for the first time this season.
Shola Abdulraheem’s 56th-minute goal secured the home team’s first win of the season and also halted Remo’s perfect run.
Remo’s defeat means only Rivers United and El-Kanemi Warriors are still unbeaten in the Nigerian topflight this season.
Elsewhere in Owerri, Emmanuel Amuneke also grabbed his first win in charge of Heartland, beating Niger Tornadoes 2-0 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, with both goals coming off the foot of Michael Ogu.
In Jos, Vincent Temitope scored a stunning bicycle kick goal for Plateau United, who edged new boys Ikorodu City 1-0.
With just a point so far this season, the defeat leaves the newly promoted side swimming deep in the relegation waters at the bottom of the table.
Meanwhile, Kazeem Ogunleye returned from his one-game suspension to fire champions Rangers International to a 1-0 victory over Abia Warriors in an Oriental derby at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
Enyimba were also on their way to an emphatic win over Katsina United in Aba before the live game was disrupted by floodlights malfunctioning.
The People’s Elephant led 3-0 with less than 15 minutes still to play before the game was out on hold.
The win would be enough to place them second in the table with 12 points.
