Bayelsa United hold Rivers United in four-goal thriller in Port Harcourt

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

2021 Federation Cup champions, Bayelsa United forced league champions, Rivers United to a 2-2 draw in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) encounter on Wednesday at Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenegoa.

Stanley Eguma’s side had won three of its previous six games in all competitions ahead of the game, while Bayelsa United had lost two of its previous six games leading to Wednesday’s encounter.

Chiamaka Madu opened the scoring for the visitors in the 35th minute to give Rivers United a half-time lead. Six minutes into the second half, Daniel Ekpo equalised for Bayelsa before Stanley Ohawuma restored Rivers United’s lead in the 66th minute.

When the game seemed destined for a win in favour of the Port Harcourt-based side, Robert Mizo converted Bayelsa United’s second equaliser of the game to ensure that both sides settled scores at 2-2.

Rivers United moved to third position in Group B with 14 points while Bayelsa United with eight moved a place above the relegation zone.

Rivers United will shift focus on the CAF Confederation Cup group stage doubleheader with Motema Pembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo on February 26 and March 7.

The team is in second position in its group with three points, a point behind Diables Noirs.