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.<br /><br />Kano Pillars head coach, Mohammed Baba Ganaru, refused to speak to the media after the game but the club&rsquo;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. <br /><br />&ldquo;We played very well but a little mix-up in our defence cost us the game.<br /><br />&ldquo;We were able to hold our own; we are no pushovers. We are a very strong side,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />Ovoke remained humble despite his barnstorming display which acted as the catalyst for an important win for the home side.<br /><br />&ldquo;I just want to say &lsquo;thank you&rsquo; to God Almighty who made it possible for me,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />On his part, Eguma explained that he had studied the opposition painstakingly with the intent of neutralizing their strengths while exploiting perceived weaknesses.<br /><br />&ldquo;I had been monitoring Kano Pillars for a while now and I know how they play.<br /><br />&ldquo;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,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />Sunday&rsquo;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.<br /><br />Pillars drop two places to eighth with 18 points from 11 matches.<br /><br />Sammy Wejinya<br />