Defending champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Rivers United kicked off their 2023 Championship Playoffs with a gritty 1-0 win over Sunshine Stars in Lagos on Saturday.
The Playoffs got underway at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena with Remo and Enyimba playing out an entertaining 2-2 in the opening game before the Pride of Rivers defeated Sunshine Stars to take an early lead in the group.
After the high ceiling seen in the first game, it was expected that the second game involving the CAF Confed Cup quarterfinalists to measure up, but it was quite drably in the opening half hour. However, Rivers goalkeeper Sochima Victor made a big stop to deny Vincent Temitope from inside the area in the final moments of the half.
The second half continued in the same manner with Rivers United threatening through Mark Gibson, but there was no breakthrough. Just minutes after the hour mark, Gibson’s cross was adjudged to have hit the arm of Emmanuel Ogbuagu in the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Ebube Duru, who has a perfect record from the spot this season, converted calmly to hand Stanley Eguma’s side the lead.
At the other end, Sochima, as well as some quality defending, helped preserve the lead as Sunshine Stars poured forward in search of a goal of their own. The champions managed to keep things tight at the back to nick a valuable opening-day win.
In the day’s final game between Bendel Insurance and Lobi Stars, it finished goalless as the former extended their unbeaten run to 19 games in the NPFL this season.
Action will resume on Monday when Lobi Stars take on Enyimba, Rivers United face Remo Stars and Bendel Insurance face Sunshine Stars at 2pm, 4:30pm, and 7pm respectively.
