Rivers United coach Stanley Eguma has declared this season’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title race ‘wide open’ after the Port Harcourt side were held to a 1-1 draw by hosts Kwara United in a midweek clash.

Joseph Onoja put 10-man Rivers United, who had defender Fabian Nworie sent off with 8 minutes left to play, in front with a long range effort on 47 minutes, before Christopher Nwaeze leveled for the former league leaders 16 minutes prior to the end of the encounter.

The draw propelled Rivers United to 4th place on the NPFL log, with 40 points from 23 matches, four points behind table-toppers Kano Pillars (44).

Speaking after the encounter, Eguma expressed satisfaction with the draw, adding that the target was to grab maximum points in Ilorin.

“It was a good game, we actually came to this place – to Ilorin – for the three points, having lost points at home (against Abia Warriors),”the long-serving tactician said.

“Today (Wednesday), we have picked a point. It’s not a bad thing. And I think that it is to show anger of what happened to us against Abia Warriors.

“We actually came for three points, which we would have taken as we went ahead. But unfortunately, my players caved in and then, conceded that goal. And again, the red card we conceded also affected our game.

“But I think it was a good game. I think we are taking it from here. The title (race) is still wide open.”

Rivers United who have won the NPFL three times as Dolphins FC will next face struggling Wikki Tourists in Port Harcourt on Sunday in a Match Day 24 clash.