Report: Champions Rivers United hold on to subdue Tornadoes in Port Harcourt 

By Wale Mustapha

Rivers United showed champions’ character to claim the maximum points against hard-fighting Niger Tornadoes in their 2-1 Group A victory of the Nigeria Premier Football League encounter on Tuesday.

Hosts Rivers took the lead inside seventh minutes into the match played at the Adokiye Amiesimeka Stadium when Kazie Enyinnaya headed past Tornadoes’ keeper from a corner kick delivered by Chiamaka Madu.

Tornadoes thought they have equalized in the 15th minutes when Charles Okafor pounced on a good corner kick delivery but the referee flagged him offside.

The Ikon Allah Boys, who has been on a scoring spree in their last two games fought back and were rewarded with a breakthrough when David Okoromi was upended in the box and former Rivers United winger, Waheed Adebayo was employed to take the spot kick which he expertly dispatched past Seidu Mutawakilu in the 29th minute.

It didn’t take too long when Stanley Eguma’s side found themselves in front again as Ebube Duru bend his free kick over the wall and Tornadoes’ GK, Jimoh who was not Lucky to parry over.

Both teams retired to the dugout with much to talk about in terms of opportunities created that were not utilized and some let offs in the defense.

The second half saw more end to end actions and scoring moments which could have changed the score line, notably from Tornadoes but Rivers United had resorted to game management typical of a champions to weather through the game and secure the match points.

The victory, however put the Pride of Port Harcourt on top of Group A with seven points with Tornadoes jointly occupying second position with Abia Warriors.

Niger Tornadoes will be host to struggling Enugu Rangers in Kaduna while Rivers United will be guest to Dakkada in Uyo.