Rivers United defeated Enyimba FC of Aba 2-0 on Tuesday (12 September 2023) at the Enyimba International Stadium to wrap up their pre-season as they kick off their 2023/2024 season on Sunday in the CAF Confederation Cup away to Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso in Yamoussoukro Cote d’Ivoire.
A keenly contested first half saw Abiodun Akande, Rivers United’s shot-stopper, saved a penalty in the 26th minute to keep the game goalless at halftime.
Upon resumption, it was Yao Benard, who broke the deadlock with a close-range finish.
It was the result of fine work started by Alex Oyowah who brilliantly displaced a defender to set up Yao on goal for the opener in the 63rd minute.
The team talisman, Nyima Nwagua came on mid-way into the second half to double the lead late in added time.
This time it was Alex Oyowah who assisted, Alex bulldozed his way into the box under severe pressure and found Nwagua in a promising position who shot the ball into the bottom corner of the net to sum up a dominant display by the Pride of Rivers.
Rivers United were drawn by in the first round preliminary of the competition due to their stellar performance during last season’s campaign which saw them finished as a semi-finalist.