Obomate Frederick scored a stunning free kick for Rivers United in the 65th minute of a feisty league opener against champions, Enyimba to give the Port Harcourt club a 1-0 win and a dream start in the 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.
United coach, Stanley Eguma opted to start veteran goal keeper, Sunday Rotimi in goal ahead of Henry Ayodele while experienced left back, Odinga Odinga, was also dropped to the bench ahead of a strong defensive quartet of Festus Austin, Joseph Douhadji, Chiwendu Ali and Chigozie Ihunda.
Yusuf Jaiyeola, Felix Benjamin, Ovoke Bernard, Frederick, Andoh Wilson were saddled with the responsibility of running the show from midfield while Yusuf Jaiyeola played as the lone man upfront.
Enyimba trainer, Paul Aigbogun, also had a big decision to make as regards his choice of goal keeper; eventually opting to start Femi Thomas ahead of Theophilus Joel Afelokhai.
Ugwu Uwadiegwu, Ifeanyi George, Dare Ojo, Chinedu Udoji, Emma Anyanwu, Kamal Sikiru, Ezekiel Bassey, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu, Peter Onyekachi, Chukwude Stephen all started in a solid looking line up as the People’s Elephants went about the business of their title defence in efficient fashion.
Predictably, the visitors dominated the early exchanges and would have easily raced to a two-goal lead before the break but for the profligacy of Onyekachi and Bassey late in the first stanza.
Rotimi covered himself in glory two minutes before the break with a save from point blank range to deny Bassey who was almost wheeling away in celebration.
The hosts improved after the break and Thomas had to be at his best to deny Chiwendu a certain goal from a free kick.
That set piece from range seemed destined for the top right hand corner but the former Ocean Boys man produced a one-handed save to beat out the fierce effort moments after the restart.
Enyimba should have been warned about the deadly efficiency of United from set-pieces and they were made to pay, 25 minutes from the end when Frederick curled home an unstoppable effort past a shell-shocked Thomas.
The champions responded valiantly but met a resolute United backline in uncompromising form.
Wave after wave of Enyimba attack was repelled while the hosts continued to threaten on the break.
United held out for the win to start their campaign in the best possible fashion.
Head coach of Wolves, Aigbogun had words of praise for United describing them as a side that “fought hard”.
“They (Rivers United) fought hard but I knew they were going to fight hard (because) when you combine two teams together, they are going to come out fighting.
“However, anybody who saw the game would agree with me that we decided to take something out of the game,” he said.
United trainer, Eguma said his charges must not allow themselves to be lulled into a false sense of security with the win over the champions.
“I feel happy. It is the beginning of the league and it is not yet time to celebrate.
“We have started well and we hope we will end well. The boys are young and are coming together for the first time.
“We still have a lot to improve upon. Beating Enyimba is not really a big deal. This is just one out of 38 matches.
“We will work for the next game,” he said.
United’s next game is against newly-promoted MFM in Lagos on Wednesday.
