By Charles Mayuku
Rivers United claimed a hard-fought 1-1 draw away to Katsina United in a rescheduled EUROMATCH-NPFL Matchday 2 fixture at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium on Wednesday.
The Pride of Rivers controlled large periods of a goalless first half, with Alex Oyowah, Chinemerem Ugwueze and Salman Abubakar dictating the tempo in midfield.
Two minutes after the restart, Samson Olasupo broke the deadlock, silencing the home supporters after he connected an intelligent cross from Timothy Zachariah into the net.
The forward, who previously played for Katsina United, declined to celebrate out of respect for his former club.
The hosts equalised three minutes later when former Rivers United midfielder Sani Mubarak’s free-kick took a deflection and found the net on 50 minutes.
Rivers United head coach/technical manager Finidi George made four changes from the side that drew 0-0 at Ranchers Bees 48 hours earlier, handing starts to Samuel Bassey, Innocent Gabriel, Ugwueze and Olasupo.
The introduction of Handsome Surveyor, Iyowuna Douglas and Shola Oladunjoye after the hour mark injected fresh energy into the attack.
The best chance of the closing stages fell to Zachariah, whose effort struck the post in the 80th minute.
Emmanuel Utake later replaced Innocent Gabriel as Rivers United defended resolutely to secure their third draw on the road this season and extend their unbeaten start.
The result keeps Rivers United second in the NPFL table with 12 points from six matches (three wins, three draws), level on points with Barau FC but behind leaders Rangers by a point.
Rivers United play their third match in six days when they host Ikorodu City on Sunday, 4 October 2026 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium while Katsina United will make the trip to Lagos to face new boys Inter Lagos.