By Our Correspondent

Nigeria’s CAF Confederation Cup campaigners, Rivers United have continued their impressive start to the 2020/21 NPFL campaign with the big win recorded on Sunday in Port Harcourt

The Pride of Rivers climbed to the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) table following their 3-0 win over Kwara United in a Matchday three encounter.

Two goals in the first-half by Ifeanyi Anaemena and Godwin Aguda and one by Chika Godwin late in the second-half helped the Pride of Rivers to victory that has seen then move to the top of the NPFL table.

Coach Stanley Eguma and Abdullahi Biffo both made changes to their squad having after blissful results in their last outings against Abia Warriors and Plateau United, respectively.

For Rivers United, Coach Stanley Eguma opted to retain places for Konan Ruffin, Fabian Nworie, Lookman Binuyo, Stephen Gopey, Fortune Omoniwari, and Bamba Bakari while Theophilus Afelokai, Kazie Enyinnaya, Ifeanyi Anaemena, Cletus Emoten and Godwin Aguda were recalled to starting eleven

On his part, the Afonja Warriors gaffer settled for three changes to the starting eleven with the inclusion of Mohammed Aliyu, Ejeh Isaiah and Afeez Nosiru.

It was the “Pride of Rivers” that almost took the lead inside the first five minutes as Fortune Omoniwari rose highest to head on target Konan Ruffin’s cross but Kwara United’s goalkeeper Abdullateef Ishola effort was enough to save the blushes of the visitors.

Kwara United were dealt a big blow just before the quarter-hour mark as their forward Kabir Balogun sustained an injury and to be replaced by diminutive attacking midfielder Joshua Agboola

After initially failing to exert themselves, Rivers United finally made their dominance count when defence marshall Ifeanyi Anaemena broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when he benefited from Abdullateef Ishola’s error to head in the opener off a Lookman Binuyo’s freekick.

Godwin Aguda doubled the lead for Rivers United just after the restart as he was at the end to bury home the ball after Stephen Gopey had brilliantly danced passed two of his markers inside the box to squad the ball to an unmarked Godwin Aguda inside the six-yard box.

Both teams maintained the status quo into the second half and it was Rivers United that continued their dominance as they continued to push to extend their lead.

The hosts ensured that there was no coming back for Coach Abdullahi Biffo’s men who were further punished as Afeez Nosiru and Ejeh Isaiah got the marching order (red carded) in the 77th and 90 minute of the game.

Chika Godwin got the third goal for Rivers United from the spot in the 90th minute as Ejeh Isaiah stopped with his hands a goal bound shot from Ishaq Kayode.

With the result, Rivers United sit on top of the table with 9 points from 3 matches and will confront Wikki Tourist in Bauchi on Wednesday as the NPFL enters matchday four.

Rivers United Coach Stanley Eguma was full of praises for his players as Coach Abdullahi Biffo stated that his players will learn from the defeat.