Rivers United nicked a
hard fought draw in Kano against Jigawa Golden Stars to go joint top of the
table with Plateau United after a Festus Austin late own goal canceled Cletus
Emotan early first half strike in the MatchDay 16 of the 2019/2020 NPFL season
at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano on Monday. The visitors believed they have won
the game as the 14th minute Cletus Emotan strike gave them the opening goal,
but the home side fought back in the second half to nick a late equalizer few
minutes to go, when Mujaheed Ibrahim’s strike was turned into the net by
skipper Festus Austin for an own goal.
The Badaru Boys, who had earlier lost at home
to Plateau United and Akwa United, were wary of losing all points to another
United side and eager to win to get out of relegation. Thus, they started the
match with all seriousness but were jittery in the midfield and misfiring in
the attack. As early as the third minute they had their first chance at goal
but it went begging. Three minutes later, Moshood Kasali sprung the offside
trap and was face to face with the keeper but had his efforts saved twice by
Akande Abiodun in Rivers United goal. But against the run of play, Rivers
opened scoring when Emotan latched onto a pass in the box to tap home. The goal
energized the visitors, but woke up Jigawa who fought back like raging bull
with Kasali Moshood shooting wide when given a good chance. Ali Kalla was next to
waste a counter attack effort in the second half. Ishaq Rafiu drew out a save
from Kenneth Christopher in Jigawa Stars’ goal, as Ali Kalla again shot wide.
Rivers’ Stephen Gopey dribbled past the Jigawa defense before cutting back for
his teammate but the pass was cut out for a corner kick.
Substitute Mujaheed Ibrahim and Pascal Eke had
two shots cleared on the goal line before the equalizer came. Efforts by both
sides to clinch the winner were abortive. Speaking after the match, Jigawa
Stars Coach, Rabiu Tata commended his players for their fighting spirit, while
assuring their fans that they will fight their way out of relegation. “I appreciate
the way the players played. We are in the relegation zone but we will find our
way out. Playing away from our home in Kano affects us but we have to adapt to
the situation we found ourselves. I appreciate the Kano fans.” For Rivers
United Coach, Stanley Eguma, they came for the three points but Jigawa deserved
a share of the points.
Source: npfl.ng