CAF Confederation Cup
CAF Confederation Cup: Rivers United Return to Reckoning
BY SAMMY WEJINYA
Nigeria’s lone survivor in CAF’s inter club competition, Rivers United, have returned to reckoning in the Confederation Cup after recording a 1-0 win over Moroccan club, Faith Union de Sportive (FUS) on Wednesday.
Emeka Atuloma scored the game’s decisive goal, 19 minutes from the end, turning home Zoumana Doumbia’s free kick with the FUS defence failing to clear their lines, to hand three crucial points to the hosts.
United had the better goal scoring opportunities in a cagey first half but few were of a clear-cut nature.
Emeka Ogbugh was the first to have a sight of the FUS goal but he shot wildly in the 16th minute after goalkeeper, Aymane Majid successfully foiled John Odumegwu’s attacking run on intent.
The ‘Pride of Rivers’ began the second period on the front foot and were almost ahead two minutes after the restart when Ogbugh rose highest in the opposition half to head Obomate Frederick’s corner inches wide.
Substitute, Onoriode Odah, full of running and activity all afternoon, shot wide from a tight angle seconds later after showing FUS’ Elmehdi El Basil a clean pair of heels as United introduced urgency, hitherto missing in a largely-dour first half, into their game.
Atuloma was to decide matters in the 71st minute as he reacted in lightening fashion to steer home from two yards amidst claims by the visitors that the goal was scored from an offside position.
FUS, previously content with sitting back and containing wave after wave of Rivers United attacks, then altered their tactics dramatically, playing offensive with speed and intelligence, in a bid to hurl themselves back into the contest.
They almost claimed an equalizer in the 86th minute when an uncharacteristic Festus Austine error allowed Abdelssalam Benjelloun have a clear sight of goal.
The Moroccan duly curled a left-footed effort that seemed destined for the bottom corner only for the Rivers United goalkeeper, Sunday Rotimi to produce an extraordinary save to push the ball away for a corner.
It was a huge let off for the Nigerian side as the Stadium held its collective breath.
With spaces opening up as the visitors pushed farther up the pitch, Rivers United almost put the game to bed with a stunning counter attack in the 89th minute but Odah, at the tip of the spear, saw his goal-bound shot pushed away onto the post by Majid and away for a corner.
The win at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt means Rivers United and all other three sides in Group A, FUS Rabat, Club Africain and Kampala CCA are now level on three points after their first three matches.
Match Statistics: Rivers United versus FUS Rabat.
Rivers United: Sunday Rotimi, Markson Ojobo, Doumbia Zoumana, Emeka Atuloma, Festus Austine, Ayobami Asekunuwo, Emeka Ogbugh, Guy Kuemian {(Onoriode Odah 35′ (Gabriel Olalekan 90’)}, Odumegwu John (Bolaji Sakin 73′) Ayo Saka and Obomate Frederick.
Substitutes Not Used: Abiodun Akande, Gabriel Wassa, Godbless Asamoah and Christian Weli.
FUS Rabat: Aymane Majid, Abdessalam Benjelloum, Mahiri Mohammed, Elmehdi El Basil, Ass Mandawsy, Nayef Aguerd, Ibrahim El Bahri (Karim Benarif 70′), Badri Boulharoud, Ayoub Skouma (Elmehdi Bettache 86’), Mohammed Fouzair and Yousoupha Om Njie (Mehdi Khalis 76′).
Substitutes Not Used: Youness Azziadi, Yassir Jarici, Ibourahima Sidibe and Mohammed Saoud.
Yellow Card: Ibrahim El Bahri 57′.
Goal: Emeka Atuloma (Rivers United, 71′)
Moroccan side, Renaissance Sportive de Berkane secured a third continental title after drawing against Tanzania’s Simba Sports Club (2-0 in the first leg, 1-1 in the return).
Moroccan football’s representatives had the privilege of being the first to lift the new CAF trophy.
It is the fifth time they have played the final match of the competition, and they were successful in 2020 and 2022. In the return leg of the final match this Sunday, Berkane overcame challenges put in their way ahead of the match at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
The match got off to a flying start, with the hosts dominating, determined to open the scoring in the opening minutes of play. Once again, Berkane retreated into defence, a far cry from the spirit displayed in the first leg.
It took about fifteen minutes for Mouine Chaâbani’s men to truly get into the game.
While they launched their first dangerous attack, a missed opportunity in front of the opposing goal cost them dearly. On the ensuing counterattack, Simba’s Zambian striker, Joshua Mutale, beat goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi in the 17th minute.
The second half resumed with the same intensity, but the tension rose, especially after Simba attacking midfielder Yusuph Kagoma was sent off for a second yellow card.
Berkane then took a numerical advantage and regained control of the game.
Stung to the quick, the home side continued to engage in skirmishes, but without any real threat to goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi.
Yet, even with ten men down, Simba’s players gave the Berkanis a hard time, posing several threats.
Deliverance finally came in the 93rd minute thanks to Mamadou Lamine Camara, who scored the equaliser, in a closely contested duel, in a packed stadium, and under the eyes of Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the FRMF, as well as Walid Regragui, national coach.
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RS Berkane head coach Moine Chaabani says his side is fully focused and prepared for Sunday’s second leg of the Confederation Cup final against Tanzania’s Simba SC, as they seek to secure a third continental title.
The Moroccan club takes a 2-0 lead into the return leg at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar following an early double from Mamadou Camara and Oussama Lamlaoui in the first leg in Berkane.
Speaking ahead of the crucial clash, Chaabani emphasized that his players have left nothing to chance.
“We are focused on the match, and we must adapt to all circumstances, no matter how difficult,” he said during the pre-match press conference.
“We came here to play a 90-minute match, and there is no room for distraction.”
The Tunisian tactician, who led the team to last year’s final only to suffer defeat against Zamalek, underlined the hunger within the squad to go one step further this time.
“We have worked hard since that disappointment, and today we are even more determined to win the title and bring the cup back to Morocco.”
RS Berkane will be boosted by the availability of key players Haitham Manout and Paul Valery, although final decisions on their involvement will be made after the last training session.
“All players are present. The decision on their participation will depend on their readiness,” he added.
Chaabani also pointed to his side’s growing experience in navigating difficult African environments, saying they are mentally conditioned for the high-stakes occasion.
“We have a strong immune system to handle these conditions, and we will manage our physical effort according to the match’s progress,” he said.
“We hope to rise to the occasion and succeed in pleasing the Berkane fans, who always support us, to win the title.”
The return leg kicks off at 13:00 GMT on Sunday. A draw or even a narrow defeat by a one-goal margin will be enough for Berkane to lift the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup trophy.
-CAF
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Following a 2-0 win for RS Berkane over Simba SC in the first leg of the 2024-25 CAF Confederation Cup Final in Berkane, Morocco, attention will turn to the return fixture on the island of Zanzibar this Sunday.
The match will be played at Amaan Stadium at 16h00 local time (13h00 GMT) and will be live across all CAF’s broadcast partners, including Azam Media, beIN Sport, Canal+, SuperSport, SABC and several other global platforms.
RS Berkane go to the second leg with the advantage after early goals from Mamadou Camara and Oussama Lamlaoui at home, but Simba SC have shown plenty of fighting spirit already this campaign and will be confident of overturning the deficit.
The winners of this year’s CAF Confederation Cup will be awarded a new trophy that will be unveiled later this week.
CAF and host club Simba SC are working closely together to ensure that the event in Zanzibar is a success.
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