Enugu Rangers lost footing in their quest to return to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) inter-club competition while Rivers United moved closer to winning the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title after both teams played a goalless draw in their Matchday 34 encounter played in Awka on Saturday.
Before the draw, the Flying Antelopes were in vantage position to finish in the third spot and they needed a home win against the champions designate, Rivers United to keep that hope alive at the Awka City Stadium.
But at the end of the game which had Goalkeeper Darlington Ovunda in excellent form for Rivers United, Rangers, though still third with 52 points may have to play catch-up to Enyimba (51 points) and Remo Stars (50 points) with the two having a game in hand.
Enyimba are away to MFM and Remo Stars have a home fixture against Lobi Stars and a win will see them ahead of Rangers in the race for the third spot.
It was Rivers United that created the first real chance in the game when the frame of the post came to Rangers rescue after league leading scorer, Chijioke Akuneto’s header off Kazie Enyinnaya’s cross failed to beat the post.
Rangers responded with three chances of theirs to gain ascendancy before the end of the first half. Chidiebere Nwobodo forced a good save from Ovunda in the 7th minute before the same striker had his effort ricocheted off the cross bar in the 18th minute.
Rangers avalanche of misses continued in the 41st minute when Christian Nnaji missed a sitter after he was set up by Israel Abia while Ovunda who was overwhelmingly picked as the Man of the Match made another excellent save off Eso Archibong’s close range effort in the 51st minute.
Rangers did have the ball at the back of the net in the 54th minute through Bala Akintunde’s effort but he was correctly adjudged to be in the offside position before he scored.
There was still another last minute opportunity for Rangers to seal the three points with three minutes to the full time when Goalie Ovunda parried to safety a goal-bound effort from Chidiebere Nwobodo to the surprise of the home fans who thought they had taken a late minute lead.
Rivers United Technical Manager, Stanley Eguma saluted Enugu Rangers for given his team a tough and very tactical game.
He thumbed up his players for rising up to the occasion and cautioned them to continue their hunt for the league title even when it seems close to reality now.
“I want to salute the courage exhibited by Rangers. They put up a good fight and put us under intense pressure and we were forced to change our tactics,” Eguma said after the game.
“The game was very tactical and tough. They are a good side and I am not surprised at the position they are. My players did well too to be able to salvage a point. We were unfortunate not to get a goal in the early minutes of the game when Chiijioke Akuneto’s header missed targets.”
What does this mean?
Rivers United have now moved to 71 points and are 11 points better than second placed Plateau United who could reduce the gap to eight points with a home win over Gombe United on Sunday. Rivers need five points more to annexe the title irrespective of the results recorded by their nearest rival, Plateau United.
Enugu Rangers do not have their destiny in their hands again with the home draw. They must now pray that both Enyimba and Remo Stars slip up for them to have another chance. They could finish the weekend in the fifth spot if Enyimba and Remo Stars gained the maximum points in their games.
What’s next?
Rangers will travel to relegation haunted Kano Pillars next in Kano while Rivers United are off to another away duel against Nasarawa United next weekend.
