Remo Stars came from behind to beat Rivers United 2-1 in their rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League match day 21 fixture played in Ikenne on Monday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Foreign import Franck Mawuena came off the bench to play a key role in the win for Remo Stars after former player Andy Okpe gave the visitors a first half lead from the spot. Mawuena assisted Haruna Hadi for the equaliser before heading home the winner late on.
The Sky Blue Stars came into this clash on the back of a comfortable 3-0 win over Niger Tornadoes, while Pride of Rivers lost to Bayelsa United in their last league outing.
Much was said about the game before kick off, which was originally scheduled for Sunday, only for it to be moved by the league body to allow the 2022 league champions recover from their participation in the Federation Cup.
The match eventually got underway on Monday evening and after a tight opening to the match, the visitors got their noses in front when they were awarded a penalty. Defender Sodiq Ismail fouled Deputy Echeta in the box and Okpe sent goalkeeper Kayode Bankole the wrong way to hand Stanley Eguma’s side the lead on 19 minutes.
Remo huffed and puffed for the rest of the half. Apart from Ismail’s effort that was cleared off the line, the home side could not create enough against the Pride of Rivers.
After the break, Remo introduced Olamilekan Adams and Mawuena for the ineffective Seun Ogunribide and Dela Akorli and things changed for good.
Eight minutes after his introduction, Mawuena put the ball on the plate for Haruna Hadi to pull the home side level. They kept pushing for the winning goal and that eventually came seven minutes from time.
Rivers United defender Endurance Ebedebiri had the chance to clear for a throw in but he opted to put the ball out for a corner instead and from that resulting set piece, Mawuena headed home from Adams’ delivery to secure all three points for Daniel Ogunmodede’s side.
By virtue of the win, Remo Stars have now garnered 56 points – one point behind leaders Rangers – with six games to go. It is also the first time Remo Stars will be beating Rivers United in nine attempts in the NPFL.
Rivers United will now travel to Ilorin to face Kwara United in their next game on the outstanding schedule.
