Chukwunonso Okonkwo struck in the 66th minute to fire Rivers United past a resolute El-Kanemi Warriors side 1-0 in an exciting Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) contest decided on Wednesday.

The forward rounded off a flowing team move that saw youngster, Daniel Israel provide the decisive pass as United won successive games in the NPFL for the first time this season.

The home side struggled to break down the visitors in a first half that failed to spark into life at the Yakubu Gowon (former Port Harcourt Liberation) Stadium.

Talismanic midfielder, Obomate Frederick missed out yet again for United as he failed to recover from the ankle injury he sustained in the 0-1 defeat to 3SC on match day seven.

In his absence, the United manager handed Ebuka Nnabuo his debut and he excelled with an assured display in the middle of the park.

The visitors hardly threatened all game with only a couple of gilt-edged opportunities to show for their exertions all afternoon.

United’s technical manager, Stanley Eguma while admitting that his side played well, refused to get carried away with the performance which guaranteed all three points.

“Nobody is getting carried away here. We have achieved nothing and will continue to work hard.

“The league is a marathon and not a sprint…….we still have 28 more games to play.

“There is still room for improvement but we will get there eventually,” Eguma said in response to a questioned posed to him at the post match press conference by Rivers United Media.

Wednesday’s result represented a second successive win for Eguma and his charges as United climb up to 5th on the standings, three points off top spot, having amassed 16 points from 10 matches.

El-Kanemi’s coach, Ladan Bosso praised United for their win while identifying ‘technical problems’ for his side’s defeat.

“Generally, it was a good game. Congratulations to Rivers United. (The goal they scored) was from a slim chance but they got it right.

“I know the problems of my team. They are purely technical…we will go back (home) and work on them.

“I don’t entertain any fears (about the chances of my teamin the league). We will do well this season,” he said.

The Warriors have now lost their last two games and currently sit in 16th place on the NPFL standings with 10 points from the same number of matches.

Igho Kingsley