Emeka Atuloma’s brilliantly-struck effort in the second half helped Rivers United rescue a share of the spoils at MFM in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Monday.
The midfielder fired home an unstoppable effort from outside the penalty area to peg back the hosts in an exciting contest decided at the Agege Stadium, Lagos.
MFM shot into the lead in deserved fashion in the 17th minute when sloppy play allowed midfielder, Chukwuka Onuwa ample time and space to aim a wonderful pass to Sikiru Olatunbosun
The forward did not panic as he struck low and hard past the Rivers United goalkeeper, Sunday Rotimi to the delight of the home faithful.
The goal galvanized the hosts as they surged forward with wave after wave of attacking forays in a bid to add a second before the interval.
Olatunbosun should have completed his brace on the half hour but dragged a fiercely-hit effort wide off Rotimi’s right hand
post after some exemplary work by the outstanding Onuwa.
Olalekan Gabriel, starting in place of the injured United captain, Festus Austine, came to rescue of his side on two occasions with heroic, identical goal-saving interceptions to deny Nojeem Akinyemi in the 40th minute and Olatunbosun, four minutes later.
The visitors’ best chance to level matters in the first stanza was in the 27th minute when Emeka Ogbugh fired a 25-yard free kick into Orbit.
Three minutes later, a gilt-edged chance fell to Obomate Frederick who struck his half volley from outside the penalty area well wide.
The last time Rivers United failed to score in a competitive game was on March 11 so a response was always on the cards after the break.
So it proved as the ‘Pride of Rivers’ produced a sparkling second half
display that probably deserved maximum points.
Seventeen minutes from time, United levelled the scores in spectacular fashion when the overlapping Atuloma rifled home an unstoppable effort from outside the box.
It was the least the visitors deserved for a display of verve and endeavour and only a shocking display of profligacy late on ensured that the points were split at the ‘Soccer Temple’.
Ogbugh had chances in the 74th and 81st minutes that looked easier to put away while Salefu saw his goal bound
shot cleared off the line in the 77th minute with time appearing to stand still.
The visiting bench prematurely leapt off the dugout in celebration, five minutes from time when Salefu
somehow miscued his effort from six yards after he was impressively set up by Ogbugh.
It was a shocking miss (even though it missed the target by mere millimetres) they were almost made to rue as Olatunbosun, against the run of play, spun on a six pence at the other end, before riling a half volley
inches over the bar from the edge of the Rivers United penalty area.
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