By Reliable Reliance Udoenyin in Port Harcourt
Godwin Obaje scored but was eventually sent off as Rangers International held Rivers United to a 1-1 draw at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, denying the hosts victory in a top-of-the-table EUROMATCH Nigeria Premier Football League clash on Sunday.
Rivers United started the match like a house on fire, opening up Rangers’ defence with a series of big chances but lacked the finishing touch to make their early dominance count.
Abdulrasheed Dabai pulled the strings for the home side, with the first attack of the game coming in the eighth minute. His left-footed curler from the left side of the penalty area went narrowly wide.
Just two minutes later, the relentless Dabai carved out another opportunity, dribbling through the Rangers defence before laying the ball off to Ekene Awazie, who found Ubong William. But William’s effort was blocked by the Rangers defence.
Rivers United’s intense pressure finally paid off in the 17th minute when Alex Oyowah pounced on a loose back pass by Rangers, raced down the left and played a pass across the face of goal to Chijioke Mbaoma, who slotted into an empty net after goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh had rushed out to thwart Oyowah.
Despite taking the lead, United continued to pile pressure on the defending champions and created another chance 11 minutes later.
Mbaoma received a pass on the left side of Rangers’ penalty area, but his effort was punched away by Jimoh to limit the damage for the visitors.
Rangers began to grow into the game as half-time approached, holding possession through the middle and attempting to prise open United’s defence. But it was the Pride of Rivers who came close again, three minutes before the half-hour mark.
A dangerous free-kick taken from the left edge of Rangers’ penalty area by Dabai almost doubled United’s lead, but the ball evaded everyone and went inches wide of the post.
The second half resumed with both teams showing tremendous energy, but it was Rivers United who threatened first, through Mbaoma, five minutes after the restart.
A through ball from deep by Oyowah sent Mbaoma through one-on-one with Jimoh, but his effort kissed the crossbar.
Rangers eventually found the equaliser through Obaje, who benefited from a menacing run by Chidiebere Nwobodo.
Nwobodo cut through United’s defence from the left before sending a cross into the box. The home defence failed to deal with the danger after the initial effort had been punched away by Ifeanyi Nchekwube, and Obaje reacted quickest to head home the rebound. Rivers United protested for offside, but the goal stood.
Nwobodo came alive in the second half for the Flying Antelopes, making menacing runs and cutting inside while repeatedly causing problems for the United defence.
A few minutes later, Mbaoma was brought down at the edge of Rangers’ box, with the referee awarding a free-kick. Salmanu Abubakar laid the ball off to Stephen Manyo, whose direct effort was blocked by the wall.
One of the major moments of the match came in the 69th minute when Rangers goalscorer Obaje was sent off. Having already been booked, Obaje’s continued dissent and complaints towards the referee earned him a second yellow card.
Down to 10 men, Rangers, with few substitutions made, resorted to defending deep as they looked to hold on to a point.
Rivers United continued to push and came close again in the 78th minute when Samson Olasupo received an aerial pass inside the Rangers box, brought it down with his chest and unleashed a left-footed effort. Jimoh produced a point-blank save, while a Rangers defender blocked the rebound.
The ensuing scramble in front of goal left Jimoh injured and the goalkeeper required treatment from the medics.
Jimoh was called into action again shortly afterwards when Oyowah received a pass inside the box and wasted no time in unleashing a ferocious effort, but the Rangers goalkeeper stood firm.
The shot-stopper produced another important save late on, denying substitute Junior Aimufasa after the forward fired a low effort from the left.
With six minutes added on, Rangers held firm to secure a vital point on the road and remain second on the NPFL table with 18 points, level with leaders Rivers United, although the defending champions have two outstanding matches.