Second half substitute, Bernard Ovoke, struck nine minutes after he was introduced to hand Rivers United a 1-0 win over Kano Pillars in a terse and tightly-fought Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game on Sunday.
Ovoke turned the game on its head after he was thrown into the fray in the 69th minute by the Rivers United technical manager, Stanley Eguma.
His mazy run at the death almost resulted in United’s second goal but he was hacked down cynically by Pillars’ Jonathan Zikiye who received a yellow card for his troubles.
The electrifying winger took the set-piece himself and it was headed for the top left hand corner before the Pillars goalkeeper, David Obiazo produced a spectacular flying save right out of the top drawer to keep the score at 1-0 to the hosts.
United had looked largely unimaginative before Ovoke’s introduction with Pillars comfortably dealing with the sporadic attacking forays of the Pride of Rivers in the opening 45 minutes.
Eguma elected to start pint-sized midfielder, Obomate Frederick for the first time since the match day seven 0-1 reverse to Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) in Ibadan on March 19.
The former Sharks star almost scored the opener in the 29th minute when his fluke-like long distance effort was tipped over for a corner by Obiazo.
Obomate came close again less than a minute later, planting a diving header inches wide off Obiazo’s right hand post following a brilliant delivery by Chigozie Ihunda.
Yusuf Jaiyeola was the next Rivers United player to miss as his fierce drive from the edge of the box was blocked in the face by Jamiu Alimi in the 43rd minute.
Pillars finally had their first shot on target on the stroke of half time when substitute, Emmanuel Edmund was denied at the second time of asking by the Rivers United goalkeeper, Sunday Rotimi.
Clear-cut opportunities for both sides were at a premium in the second half until Ovoke was introduced in place of Wilson Andoh.
Kano Pillars head coach, Mohammed Baba Ganaru, refused to speak to the media after the game but the club’s left back, Zikiye was more forthcoming as he told RIVERS UNITED MEDIA afterwards that a momentary lapse in concentration cost Sai Masu Gida a share of the spoils.
“We played very well but a little mix-up in our defence cost us the game.
“We were able to hold our own; we are no pushovers. We are a very strong side,” he said.
Ovoke remained humble despite his barnstorming display which acted as the catalyst for an important win for the home side.
“I just want to say ‘thank you’ to God Almighty who made it possible for me,” he said.
On his part, Eguma explained that he had studied the opposition painstakingly with the intent of neutralizing their strengths while exploiting perceived weaknesses.
“I had been monitoring Kano Pillars for a while now and I know how they play.
“They play a possession-based game with a view of running down the clock in away games but in the end, our tactical plans worked to perfection,” he said.
Sunday’s win lifts United up four places on the log as they now occupy the fourth spot on the NPFL standings with 19 points from 12 matches.
Pillars drop two places to eighth with 18 points from 11 matches.
