Rivers United secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) leaders, Remo Stars, on Sunday, thanks to an 84th-minute header from Bolu Sholumade. The win at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt reduced the gap between second-placed Rivers United and Remo Stars to just five points in the 2024/25 NPFL title race.
Sholumade, a mid-season signing and former Sunshine Stars defender, was in the right place at the right time to head home a perfect cross from another former Sunshine Stars player, Taiwo Andulrafiu. This decisive moment came with just six minutes remaining in a hard-fought contest, giving Rivers United their much-needed three points.
Despite having an outstanding match against Lobi Stars in hand, Daniel Ogunmodede’s Remo Stars could not capitalize on their lead and were handed a potential setback in their title challenge. The defeat leaves them with a slim advantage over Finidi George’s side, who had hoped for such a slip-up.
The match was a tense affair, with the first real opportunity arriving in the 20th minute through a Rivers United team move that ended with a shot going wide. The hosts were denied the lead in the first half through a double goal-line clearance by Remo Stars defenders ThankGod Ikeagwu and Anthony Ebuka.
Remo Stars had their chances too, with Togolese striker Franck Mawuena forcing a save from Rivers United goalkeeper, and Samuel Anaekwe and Tochukwu Michael both seeing their attempts squandered in the 55th minute.
The decisive moment came in the 84th minute when Sholumade found himself on the end of Andulrafiu’s well-placed cross, heading it past Remo Stars goalkeeper to hand Rivers United a vital win. With the three points, Rivers United moved to 55 points from 32 matches, closing the gap on Remo Stars, who still lead with 60 points.
In other NPFL fixtures, Enyimba returned to winning ways after four matches without a victory, overcoming local rivals Abia Warriors 2-1 in the Abia derby. Antoine Ijoma had given Abia Warriors the lead in the 21st minute, but Kalu Nweke equalized for Enyimba before halftime. Joseph Atule scored the winner in the second half to hand Enyimba all three points.
Ikorodu City’s hopes of continental qualification suffered a blow as they were held to a goalless draw by 3SC in Ibadan. Meanwhile, relegation-threatened Lobi Stars ended a four-match losing streak with a 1-1 draw against Sunshine Stars in Enugu. Despite the draw, Lobi remain at the bottom of the table with 24 points, while Sunshine Stars are just above them with 35 points.
Akwa United’s relegation battle deepened following a 2-0 loss to Nasarawa United, leaving them back in the red zone. Heartland also remain in danger, sitting 17th with 38 points.
As the season draws to a close, the battle for the NPFL title and survival remains intense, with several teams jockeying for crucial points in the final stretch.
