Bernard Ovoke scored a brace and Bolaji Sakin fired home a strike for Rivers United to confirm its safety and at the same time dropped Gombe down to the lower league yesterday in Port Harcourt.
Ovoke scored twice from the spot, before Bolaji Sakin’s strike on 90th minute put the game beyond redemption for the visitors.
Rivers have 52 points and a healthy goals difference and Gombe remained second from bottom on 43 points.
Rivers United goalkeeper, Sunday.
Markson Ojobo’s delivery into the box saw Christian Weli upended in the box, as he got set to head and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
Bernard Ovoke stepped forward to dispatch the ball into the net for Rivers United lead.
Ovoke grabbed his brace on the night when he converted a second penalty kick on 65 minute.
Again, Ojobo had his hand on it, as his cross from the right was headed into the box by Emeka Ogbugh, but defender Akeem Balogun kicked the ball against his own hand in an effort to clear the ball.
The referee pointed to the spot and Ovoke took up the responsibility and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.