NPFL: Delight for Rivers United and Elkanemi in Lafia

Rivers United and Elkanemi Warriors enjoyed wins when they travelled to face Lobi Stars and Nasarawa United respectively in Lafia on Saturday, www.aclsports.com reports.

In the opening fixtures of match day three of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, the Pride of Rivers defeated Lobi Stars 1-0 to continue their fine start under Finidi George. Elkanemi edged Nasarawa United in a seven-goal thriller decided at the Lafia City Stadium.

Rivers United, who thumped Heartland in Port-Harcourt for the first three points of Finidi’s reign last weekend, put up a fine display against the Pride of Benue. New signing Kabiru Abdullahi, who scored twice in the previous game, was left on the bench once again.

After a goalless first half between the two teams, the 2022 NPFL champions went in front inside the final 20 minutes of the game through Abdullahi. The former Kebbi United winger, who came on after the hour-mark for Okon Aniekeme, delivered the goal that secured the first three points on the road for Rivers United.

In the second game of the doubleheader, Nasarawa United were beaten by visiting Elkanemi Warriors 4-3. The Solid Miners raced to a two-goal lead courtesy of goals from Anas Yusuf in the game’s opening 20 minutes. However, the Warriors scored three times through Salihu Nasir (brace) and Al-Amin Umar in a seven-minute spree to take a half-time lead.

After the interval, Anas completed his hat-trick to drag Nasarawa United level with 20 minutes to go. However, the visitors were awarded a penalty in the final embers of the game and Ethaghara Bright scored to settle the match in favour of Aliyu Zubairu’s side in front of a dejected number of home fans in the stadium.

Both Lobi Stars and Nasarawa United remain winless this campaign, while Rivers United have jumped to the summit of the log pending the outcome of tomorrow’s games.