Femi Thomas was the stand out performer for Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Rivers United as they drew 0-0 with Kaduna United in their third game of the Shehu Dikko pre-season tournament in Kaduna.
Thomas made no less than seven top class saves to keep Kaduna United’s marauding strikers at bay in both halves of the exciting contest.
The ‘Pride of Rivers’ started on the front foot and could have raced to a two-goal lead inside the opening quarter hour but for misses by Daouda Ouattara and Emeka Ogbugh.
Aliassou Sannou then put his side in big trouble when he received the marching orders after picking up a second bookable offence in the 25th minute.
Kaduna United pressed home their advantage and could have won by at least two clear goals but for Thomas whose heroics ensured that the ‘Pride of Rivers’ maintained their unbeaten streak in pre-season.
Thomas who was selected as man of the match (MOTM) unsurprisingly gave credit to his teammates following the hard-fought at the Kaduna Township Stadium.
“Being selected as man of the match does not really mean too much because we are still trying to build a team.
“For me, the man of the match was all my team mates that played today.
“It was an interesting game and the team did well today,” Thomas was quoted as saying on the official Rivers United website, http://ift.tt/2fxyR79.
United stay top of the standings, with seven points from three matches, three points clear of second-placed Wikki Tourists.
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