Rivers United unbeaten run on the road in the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League campaign ended on Friday as they were beaten by Barau FC in a rescheduled matchday 5 fixture at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
The game got off to a quick start, helped by their attacking play, and we were rewarded within the opening 5 minutes. It was Osimaga Duke who fired us into the lead from outside the box, beating Yusuf Mohammed in goal for Barau FC.
They had encouraging spells through the opening period, with Yusuf denying Samson Obi, who had been played through by Emmanuel Nnaji, before Wasiu Falolu arrowed a fierce drive narrowly over from 25 yards.
But Barau FC were a threat themselves afterwards, with Usman Maidubji leveling up from the penalty spot in the 25th minute. Jimmy Ambrose gave Barau FC the lead just before the interval and put Rivers United right up against it.
Their task became even greater when Kabir Abdullahi, who came on as a substitute, extended the Maliya Boys’ advantage on the 64th-minute mark, and 8 minutes later Kabir Abdullahi made it four from a counter-attack move. It was a bitter pill to swallow, and it rounded off a deeply disappointing evening.
They remain on top of the NPFL log with 33 points from 17 matches, 2 points ahead of second-placed Nasarawa United. Rivers United will return to NPFL action on Monday as we head to Ilorin to confront Katsina United in a matchday 18 tie.
