An early goal from Moses Opitoke and a controversial one in the second half from Sunday Daniel condemned Rivers United to their second defeat in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) as Giwa FC prevailed 2-1 in an exciting game at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos on Wednesday.
The forward made the most of a lapse in concentration in the United backline to fire past Sunday Rotimi from close range.
The win represents Giwa FC’s first in the league this season following their opening day capitulation at home to Abia Warriors and a draw on match day two away to Niger Tornadoes.
United’s manager, Stanley Eguma opted to make four changes to the side that defeated FC Ifeanyiubah 2-0 in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Frederick Obomate who had a hand in all of United’s previous four goals this season missed out as he had educational commitments in Port Harcourt.
In his absence, the visitors struggled for fluency early on despite dominating possession.
It took the hosts just seven minutes to take the lead with Opitoke showing cold bloodedness from close range.
The attacker could have had a hat-trick inside the opening 21 minutes but was denied in quick succession by Rotimi with the second of his saves produced right out of the top drawer.
United threatened as well and almost equalized in the 22nd minute but Olorunleke Ojo was in the right place to stop Chigozie Ihunda’s free kick.
Despite scoring early, Opitoke continued to display profligacy to his game as he shockingly missed from close range via a header which he planted wide after he was expertly set up by Mohammed Saleh.
