Rivers United show one of their best performances this season as dem scatter El Kanemi Warriors 3-0 for strong Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match.
The result push Pride of Rivers go back to the top of the NPFL table and e still make their title hope stronger, na weytin hitvibz dey yan be dat.
Douglas Dey Grow Well for Rivers United Midfield
Coach Finidi George really hail midfielder Iyowuna Douglas, as he talk say the player get special football intelligence.
Finidi explain say Douglas don dey improve small small since pre-season time. According to am, the player decision-making and vision don become important part of the team game.
“We know am; na player we see for pre-season. We believe say he get that quality to play. You fit see clarity for him game. But when league start, we feel say him never strong enough.”
The coach talk say him physical strength first be small concern, but Douglas don work on top him game intensity.
The way he dey move ball fast and connect with teammates help Rivers United attack flow better for the match.
“I think say as time go, he don build am and dey try play faster. Him game IQ different from others. E be big plus for us for this last part of the league.”
The midfielder enter the match for 59th minute as he replace Taofeek Otaniyi, and immediately bring fresh energy for Rivers United midfield control for Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.
“We dey happy well well” — Him Tactical Impact
Douglas performance for only him second appearance this season give the Garden City side better balance for both attack and defence.
“We dey really happy with Iyowuna Douglas introduction… he bring that freshness for midfield and that clarity for midfield. We happy for am.”
Finidi still add say consistency go determine how much playing time Douglas go get from now go front.
“This na him second game; I hope say he continue like this. If you check our overall performance, we deserve the full three points.”
The victory also show say confidence don dey grow inside the squad as dem continue their NPFL campaign.
Samuel and Mbaoma Finally Score Again
Wisdom Samuel and Chijioke Mbaoma na the heroes for the night as both of them break their goal drought to secure comfortable win for the former NPFL champions for the rain-soaked match.
Wisdom Samuel score two goals, including early opener for the ninth minute wey set the pace for the game.
The winger mostly dey come in as substitute this season, but he really show strong response when dem give am chance to start.
Mbaoma join the scoring too as he calmly convert penalty to double Rivers United lead.
Samuel later complete him brace with one sweet strike wey seal the 3-0 result — the team biggest win this season.
Small Injury Fear for Defence
Small tension show for first half when Stephen Manyo collect knock during play. Finidi react quickly for touchline as medical team rush check the player.
“We dey try see whether he fit continue and how serious the injury be. When I talk with am for touchline, he say he fit continue.”
The coach explain say the injury look like groin strain, but dem go check am well before their next match against Bendel Insurance FC.
“We go see how serious e be. I think say na groin; he overstretch. Maybe na groin, but tomorrow we go know how him body be.”
But when Hitvibz talk with the defender later, he simply say:
“Thank you. I dey alright.”
Title Race Still Tight
The win also extend Rivers United unbeaten record against El Kanemi Warriors to six matches — three wins and two draws.
More importantly, the victory move the Port Harcourt team two points clear for the top of the NPFL table, and dem still get two games in hand wey fit give them advantage for the title race.
The team go now focus on the South-South derby against Bendel Insurance on Sunday as the season dey enter the serious stage.
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Last Updated on March 5, 2026 10:22 am by Hitvibz Media
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