Rivers United secured victory in their opening match of the 2020-21 Nigeria Professional Football League season after a Fortune Omoniwari goal helped them see off Rangers International at the Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium on Wednesday.

Omoniwari struck in the 29th-minute with what eventually proved to the winner for Stanley Eguma’s side.

The hosts were reduced to ten men with 15 minutes left after Cletus Emotan was shown two quick-fire yellows, first for a foul and then for dissent.

Rivers goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai nearly gifted the visitors an equaliser when he spilled a free kick late on, but an onrushing attacker could only fire over the crossbar sparing the goalie’s blushes and ensuring the home side gathered all three points.