Rivers disarm Rangers as Pillars roast Gombe in Kano

 

Julius Okorie

Rivers United ran away with two goals and three points at the expense of visiting Rangers international at the Adokiye Amasiemeka Stadium PH on Sunday. 

Rivers United who recently crashed out of the CAF Confederation Cup after below par performance in two legged battle with Algerian side USM Alger obviously have returned to the league with increased vigour recording two victories in sequence against Plateau United and Rangers in that order. 

Today's clash indicate that the homers statistically dominated the match with 61%to 39% possession. Alex Oyowah fired Rivers into the lead in the 34th minute with Echeta Deputy as if playing the role of a typical deputy increased the tally in the 82nd minute to finally push the match out of the reach of Rangers who were recording their second defeat in five recent matches.

But for the 2-0 away defeat of Rivers United by USM Alger, the Garden City boys would have enjoyed five wins in five recent matches.

Meanwhile it was party time for Kano Pillars as they took Gombe United to the cleaners thanks to a 4-0 demolition at the Sani Abach Stadium.

 In what could pass for no nonsense approach to the encounter, Ibrahim Mustapha grabbed the first goal for Pillars as early as the 9th minute.

 Rabiu Ali grabbed a brace just before half time, and by the 79th minute Mustapha Umar delivered the icing on the cake for the kano landlords. 

The victory was a relief for Pillars who have not tested victory in their last three matches going into today's clash. 

Their misery had started with 5-0 bashing by Enyimba, followed by 2-1 defeat by Shooting Stars and Bendel Insurance respectively. It was the third consecutive loss for Gombe who are still searching for the first win after five matches.

In other matches played today, Kastina United beat Sporting Lagos 2-0, Kwara United beat Akwa United 1-0, Niger Tornadoes were 2-0 better than Doma United while Plateau United edged Remo Stars 1-0. Enyimba held Sunshine Stars to a 1-1 draw with Lobi Stars and Bendel Insurance settling for a goalless draw at the Lafia Township Stadium. 

Rangers however remain top of the ladder with 64 points in 31 matches played so far.