NPFL: Finidi George’s Rivers defeat Amuneke’s Heartland, as Remo Stars claim SW derby victory

Matchday two of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season kicked off with an entertaining clash between Finidi George’s Rivers United and Emmanuel Amuneke’s Heartland FC at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Saturday, September 14.

Heartland, who had lost all their last five matches against Rivers in Port Harcourt, were eager to overturn their poor record, especially after a season-opening loss to Enyimba. However, they barely had time to settle into the game before Taofeek Otaniyi gave the Pride of Rivers the lead just three minutes into play.

The Amuneke-led side managed to equalise on the stroke of halftime, with Christian Molokwu capitalising on Osagie Onisodumeya’s error from Chijioke Opara’s throw-in.

Twenty-three minutes into the second half, Rivers regained the lead through substitute Kabir Abdullahi. The forward then secured his brace with a direct free kick in injury time, earning George his first win as Rivers’s manager, while Amuneke’s search for a first victory continued.

Meanwhile, on the western side of the Niger River, Remo Stars made it two wins in two games after defeating Sunshine Stars 1-0 in the South West derby in Ikenne.

The Sky Blue Stars took the lead in the eighth minute with a goal from Shuaib Ibrahim, who celebrated his first-ever goal for the club.

The victory marked Remo’s perfect start to the season with two clean sheets and extended their dominance over Sunshine Stars to five wins, one draw, and one loss in their last seven meetings.