Sugar ball rules as Akwa United end Rivers United's Naija Super 8 dream

Former NPFL champions Rivers United have crashed out of the Naija Super 8 following back-to-back defeats in the competition.

Rivers United were sent packing from the preseason tournament by neighbours Akwa United following a 1-0 defeat on Monday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. 

Former assistant manager at Rivers United Fatai Osho came back to haunt his former employers with his new side, Akwa becoming the first side to book a spot in the last four. 

Uche Collins was the hero of the day as the Promise Keepers proved too good for the Pride of Rivers.

Collins scored the decisive winner in the second half after showing enough strength to hold off his markers for his first goal of the competition.

It was a goal that came against the run of play as Rivers dominated most of the encounter but failed to make it count.

In the end, their former coach Osho and his new team had the last laugh and progressed to the semifinal after two wins in two matches. 

Meanwhile, in the first game of match day four, it was a share of the spoils between Lobi Stars and Yobe Desert Stars.

Both teams recorded the second goalless affair in the Naija Super 8 after Enyimba and Sporting Lagos in Group A.