Emeka Atuloma’s brilliantly-struck effort in the second half helped Rivers United share the spoils with MFM in the Nigeria Professional Football League on Monday.
The midfielder fired home an unstoppable effort from outside the penalty area to peg back the hosts in an exciting contest decided at the Agege Stadium, Lagos.
MFM shot into the lead in deserved fashion in the 17th minute when sloppy play allowed midfielder Chukwuka Onuwa ample time and space to aim a wonderful pass to Sikiru Olatunbosun
The forward did not panic as he struck low and hard past the Rivers United goalkeeper, Sunday Rotimi, to the delight of the home faithful.
The goal galvanized the hosts as they surged forward with wave after wave of attacking forays in a bid to add a second before the interval.
Olatunbosun should have completed his brace on the half hour but dragged a fiercely-hit effort wide off Rotimi’s right hand post after some exemplary work by the outstanding Onuwa.
The visitors’ best chance to level matters in the first stanza was in the 27th minute when Emeka Ogbugh fired a 25-yard free kick into Orbit.
Fredrick Obomate enjoyed two chances that marginally missed the hosts’ goal within a nine-minute period after the break, while Ogbugh’s audacious strike on the hour from 40 yards out failed to hoodwink Abayomi Folarin in the MFM goal.
United climbed to fourth on the NPFL standings with 27 points from 18 matches, while MFM now sit in ninth place on the log with 23 points from 15 games.