BY SAB OSUJI

Robert Mizo chose the late option to strike as hosts, Bayelsa United fetched a hard earned 2-2 draw against title holders, Rivers United, in a rescheduled NPFL match Wednesday inside the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

The result did little or nothing to change the 2009 winners position on the group B standings of the 2022/2023 abridged season.

Chiamaka Made, a former Rangers midfielder, opened scoring for the Pride of Rivers, five minutes past the hour mark as the visitors took their scoring form in the TotalEnergy CAF Confederation Cup where they pummeled ASEC Mimosa 3-0 in Uyo, on Sunday, back to the domestic league.

The visitors went into the halt time break in front but were pegged back soon after the restart as Daniel Ekpo struck the home team back on level terms six minutes after the restart.

But Malachy Ohawume restored Stanley Eguma’s side advantage just past the hour as they looked good to returning to the Garden City with the maximum points.

But Mizo had a different idea. He decided to leave it late to pull the trigger.

When Eguma and his traveling contingent were already set for the victory groove, Mizo struck on 91st minute to ensure that Rivers United were denied a first ever win at Bayelsa United since 2013.

Remarkably, Wednesday’s 2-2 in Yenagoa was the third time both teams would fight to a 2-2 ending in Yenagoa.

In 2013, then as Dolphins, Rivers United came, saw but could not conquer. Instead, they shared the spoils with their hosts in a nail bitting 2-2 draw.

It turned out same story in 2015 when the Garden City side visited again.

Wednesday’s result proves Yenagoa Stadium as a fertile league ground for Stanley Eguma and his team, Rivers United.

In 2010, the fixture ended in a 1-1 draw until Wednesday’s confrontation which equally climaxed in yet another 2-2 draw, the third in 10 seasons.

Exclusivenews.com.ng checks reveal that in their previous visits to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Rivers United previous fortress, Bayelsa United had never secured a draw, losing all the matches, raising questions as to whether the dice can change this time in Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Omagwa, near Port Harcourt, where Rivers have since relocated to for their domestic home games.

Rivers United, with two games in hand, have amassed 14 points from seven games with Bayelsa United sitting bottom of the 10-team standings with eight (8) points.