Rivers United continued their strong start to the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season with a 2-0 victory over Warri Wolves at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.
Goals from Abdulrasheed Shehu Dabai and Chinemerem Ugwueze secured all three points for Finidi George’s side, who have now won their opening two league matches without conceding a goal.
The result also provided a positive response for Rivers United following their disappointing exit from the CAF Champions League at the weekend.
Rivers United started the game on the front foot and created early opportunities through Wasiu Falolu and Dabai.
Their pressure eventually paid off in the 22nd minute when Dabai finished a well-worked team move to put the hosts ahead.
Ochobi Elias provided the assist as Dabai found the back of the net, giving Rivers United a deserved advantage.
The goal forced Warri Wolves to become more adventurous, opening up the game as both sides looked for further opportunities.
Rivers United continued to threaten, with Chijioke Mbaoma and Stephen Manyo among those involved in attacking moves before half-time.
Warri Wolves, however, managed to keep the deficit at one goal going into the break.
Rivers United continued to control proceedings after the restart and created several opportunities to extend their lead.
Elias, Manyo and Emmanuel Utake all came close to scoring as Finidi George’s team searched for a second goal.
The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 75th minute through substitute Chinemerem Ugwueze.
The former Rangers International player had only been on the pitch for eight minutes after replacing Falolu when he found the back of the net to make it 2-0.
The goal effectively ended Warri Wolves’ hopes of taking anything from the match.
Rivers United remained organised for the remainder of the contest and completed another clean sheet.
The victory means Rivers United have collected six points from their first two NPFL matches.
They opened their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Plateau United on August 30, with Dabai also getting on the scoresheet in that game.
The latest victory over Warri Wolves therefore maintains their perfect start and leaves them among the early teams at the top end of the NPFL table.
More importantly, Rivers United have yet to concede in their first two league matches, that defensive record will give Finidi George plenty of encouragement as the season progresses.
The win came just days after Rivers United suffered disappointment in the CAF Champions League, the Nigerian club were eliminated by Ivorian side San Pedro after the two-legged first-round tie ended 3-3 on aggregate, with Rivers United going out on the away-goals rule.
Rather than allowing the continental setback to affect their domestic campaign, Rivers United have responded with two consecutive league victories.
The back-to-back 2-0 wins over Plateau United and Warri Wolves have given Finidi’s team an early platform to build on.
Rivers United will now turn their attention to another league assignment away from home, Finidi George’s team are scheduled to face Nasarawa United at the Lafia City Stadium on Sunday, September 20.
The fixture will provide another test of Rivers United’s early-season form, Nasarawa United will be looking to make home advantage count, while Rivers United will hope to continue their unbeaten start and maintain their defensive solidity.
For Finidi and his players, the priority will be to keep the momentum going rather than dwell on their recent Champions League disappointment.
With six points already secured from their first two matches, Rivers United have made an encouraging start to their domestic campaign.
The challenge now is to maintain that consistency as the NPFL season gathers pace.
