Bullish striker, Nyima Nwagua, grabbed a hat-trick on Sunday as Rivers United picked the maximum points against Doma United in the Nigeria Premier League (NPFL) Week 20 match played at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port-Harcourt.
The former Kano Pillars striker opened the scoring in the 7th minute, Bidemi Owoku leveled the scores for the visitors in the 31st minute but Nwagua added another in the 46th minute and bagged his hat-trick in the 55th minute before Hilary Ekawu reduced the deficit for Doma United in the 87th minute.
While the win moved Rivers United to 10th on the table, Doma United dropped to sixth from their previous third position before the mid-season break.
Elsewhere, Plateau United resumed the second round with a 2-1 win over regional rivals Lobi Stars. Mohammed Umar scored the opener for United in the 41st minute and on resumption, Albert Hilary doubled the hosts’ lead in the 54th minute but two minutes later, junior international, Suur Kumaga, pulled one back for Lobi Stars with a powerful header.
At the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Andrew Idoko’s lone strike in the 90th minute was enough for Katsina United to beat Niger Tornadoes, kwara United fought back to hold Sunshine Stars to a 1-1 draw in Akure while Remo Stars secured a 0-0 draw at Abia Warriors to dislodge Lobi Stars from the top of the table.
In Enugu, Kazeem Ogunleye scored in the 48th minute for Rangers to pip Akwa United 1-0 just as Sporting Lagos edged hard-fighting Bendel Insurance 1-0 at the Johnson Mobolaji Stadium in Lagos.