RIVERS United continued their impressive start to the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season with a hard-fought 0-0 draw with FC Ifeanyiubah in Nnewi on Wednesday.
Stanley Eguma who made key changes on his squad that beat Niger Tornadoes 1-0 on Matchday 3, ended smiling as tactical game plan earned him an important point against an Anambra Warriors who lost against ABS FC of Ilorin by a lone goal
Femi Thomas started in goal ahead of experienced stalwart, Sunday Rotimi and it turned out to be an inspired decision as the former Enyimba man, on more than one occasion, kept his side in the contest with outrageous saves and bold decisions.
Nzube Anaezemba was also rested while Togolese international defender, Yaovi Douhadji was included in a Rivers United match day squad for the first time this season.
The hosts dominated the game and should have won but missed several wonderful opportunities while the visitors, who produced a defensive masterclass, seemed extremely ecstatic with the point in the end.
Prince Aggreh missed a sitter from close range in the seventh minute after he was set up on a plate by King Osanga whose pinpoint cross from the left completely opened up the Rivers United defence.
The home side continued to enjoy the better openings and almost made their
advantage count in the 23rd minute Stephen Eze planted a free header wide from close range off a corner.
Six minutes later, the hosts came even closer to taking the lead through Jimoh Oni who headed inches wide off another excellent delivery from the flanks, this time from former Warri Wolves captain, Goodluck Onamado.
United offered little goal threat as they were restricted to long range attempts.
Emeka Atuloma and Esosa Igbinoba produced two of such efforts in the 31st and 38th minutes but the FCIU captain and goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa mopped up with minimal fuss.
Just before the break, a shocking error by the United captain, Festus Austin almost opened the door for the hosts but Aggreh was denied by a Gabriel Olalekan goal line clearance.
A few seconds before that incident, United had almost snatched an unlikely lead at the other end when Atuloma headed tamely at Ezenwa after Ovoke’s delivery off a corner caused commotion in the FCIU box.
FCIU eventually had the ball in the back of the United net in the 52d minute but Kone Yaya’s effort was correctly chalked off for offside. The hosts were signalling their intent to take the game by the scruff of the neck and continued to ask attacking questions.
Substitute, Ifeanyi Onuigbo struck a free kick narrowly over the bar from 25 yards in the 73rd minute as the Anambra Warriors turned the screw.
Wave after wave of FCIU attack was repelled by a dogged Rivers United rear guard with Valentine Nwabili’s goal-bound free kick beaten out at the death by the irrepressible Thomas.
