Togolese striker Franck Mawuena scored the winning goal after providing the equaliser as Remo Stars came back from a goal down to beat Rivers United 2-1 in Ikenne on Monday to cut the gap on leaders Enugu Rangers to one point in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League game.
It was Remo’s first win over the 2022 champions in the NPFL, while it has also boosted Daniel Ogunmodede’s side charge for a first NPFL title.
Former Remo Stars striker, Andy Okpe, who got on the wrong foot with his former coach after the first leg last year in Port Harcourt, continued in similar fashion on Monday by netting the opener for Rivers United from the spot 18 minutes into the game.
The striker, however, showed respect for his former club this time by not celebrating the goal.
After trailing the visitors in the first half, Ogunmodede rang the changes in the 58th minute, introducing Mawuena for his first game since getting injured last November in place of Dela Akorli, while Olamilekan Adams was also thrown in for Seun Ogunribide.
Mawuena made his introduction count 10 minutes after coming on as he provided the equaliser for Haruna Hadi, who tapped home his low cross to make it 1-1.
The second substitute Adams also made his impact felt in the closing stages by setting up Mawuena for Remo’s winner in the 83rd minute.
Having played 32 games now, Remo now sit second with 56 points, a point behind Rangers and a point ahead of third-placed Enyimba, as the title race heightens with six matches to go.
Rivers United, on the other hand have four more outstanding matches to play, with their next being a visit to Ilorin to face Kwara United on Thursday. After that, they will return home to face Sunshine Stars on Sunday May 12. They face Abia Warriors three days later while their final outstanding game is against Niger Tornadoes at home on May 19.
The league will resume for the remaining six rounds of matches after the outstanding games.
