EuroMatch NPFL: Five-Star Rivers United Thrash Kun Khalifat, Leapfrog Rangers
Rivers United produced a statement performance on Thursday, thrashing Kun Khalifat FC 5–0 in Port Harcourt to move into second position on the EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League table.
The emphatic victory at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium took Rivers United to 10 points and lifted them above defending champions Rangers International, while leaving the Port Harcourt club just one point behind league leaders Barau FC.
Salman Abubakar set Rivers United on their way in the 27th minute, beating the Kun Khalifat defence with a long-range effort to give the hosts a deserved lead.
Rivers United maintained control after the break and quickly turned their advantage into a rout.
Chijioke Mbaoma doubled the lead in the 49th minute before Abubakar returned nine minutes later to complete his brace and put the hosts firmly in command.
Wasiu Falolu added a fourth in the 62nd minute, further exposing the visitors’ defensive vulnerabilities, before Ekene Awazie completed the scoring six minutes from full time.
The five-goal victory represents Rivers United’s biggest win of the campaign and provides a major boost to their early-season push at the top end of the table.
More importantly, the result strengthens their position among the leading contenders after five rounds of fixtures. The Port Harcourt side now have 10 points, while Rangers’ position has been affected by Rivers United’s superior goal difference.
For Kun Khalifat, however, the heavy defeat compounds a difficult start to their debut campaign. The newcomers remain on two points from five matches and will need an immediate response to prevent their early struggles from becoming more serious.
The result also underlines the contrasting fortunes of both teams. While Rivers United are building momentum with an increasingly potent attack, Kun Khalifat have conceded heavily in successive matches and must find a way to tighten their defence.
Rivers United will look to carry the momentum into their next league fixture against Ranchers Bees, while Kun Khalifat face Kwara United in their next assignment.
With the table beginning to take shape, Rivers United’s five-star display has put them firmly in the early conversation at the top of the EuroMatch NPFL, while Kun Khalifat are already facing pressure to halt their slide.
