Thriller in P/Harcourt as Rivers beats Doma 3-2, Remo maintains lead

Doma United fell 2-3 to Rivers United in the NPFL…yesterday.

• Heartland holds Pillars 1-1 as Enyimba remains in third spot

Port Harcourt football fans were yesterday treated to the best of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) as Rivers United battled Doma United to a 3-2 win.

It was always going to be a thrilling encounter as Rivers United, who represented Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup competition, have been on the upward swing in the league since they crashed out of the continental championship, while Doma United have been among the surprise teams of the season.

The match got off to an exciting start for the home fans when hat-trick hero, Captain Nyima Nwagua, opened scores in the seventh minute. Doma United fought back after the setback and got the leveller in the 31st minute through Samuel Bidemi Owoku.

Nwagua struck again in the 46th minute to restore Rivers United’s lead. He seemingly took the game away from Doma United in the 55th minute, completing his hat-trick, but the Bauchi boys refused to give up the fight.

Hilary Ekawu reduced the tally in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finish, but Rivers United held on to record, their first win of the second stanza of the league, which resumed on Saturday.

Rivers United are 10th on the log with 27 points, while Doma United dropped to sixth position with 32 points. Remo Stars are still leading the log on 36 points despite playing a goalless draw with Abia Warriors away from home, while Abia Warriors are 11th with 27 points.

Second-placed Lobi Stars lost 1-2 to Plateau United (fourth), while Sunshine Stars (15th) and Kwara United (14th) played out a 1-1 draw at the Akure Township Stadium.

Third-placed Enyimba defeated hard-fighting Shooting Stars of