CAF Champions League
Soul-lifting away win for Rivers United as Akwa United have a huge mountain to climb in Algeria
Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF Champions League, Rivers United and Akwa United both secured lone goal wins in their respective first round first leg match in the elite club tournament yesterday.
While Rivers United seems to be on the front foot into the next round following away win at Young Africans of Tanzania, Akwa United had to dig deep till the last minute before it could get the valuable goal win against CR Belouzidada of Algeria at the Nest of Champions in Uyo.
For Rivers United, it was drama before the away match in Dar es Salaam as their camp was rocked with Coronavirus test after three players and two officials were confirmed with positive result which was against the one conducted before the team’s departure.
But Moses Omodumuke netted the only goal of the game in the 51st minute and Nigeria did enough to secure a valuable away win.
The second leg is slated to come at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port-Harcourt next weekend.
In Uyo, Akwa United also started the competition on a winning note with a narrow win over visiting Algeria champions, CR Belouzidada.
The game lived up to the expectations as both team were current champions of their leagues and were able to sized up each other.
The end to end game with host Akwa United dominating the game at the Goodswill Akpabio stadium but the backline of the away side was able to withstand all the pressure.
The second half witnessed the same display but the Promise Keepers continued to press for a much-needed goal but the away side continued to frustrate their efforts.
The goal finally arrived in the 87th minute through a cool finish from Ubong Friday and all the efforts of Belouzidad to come back proved abortive.
Belouzidad will host Akwa United in the second leg of the preliminary round needing a two goals to progress while any draw will qualify the Nigeria side.
Egypt’s Pyramids claimed a deserved 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa. This led to a 3-2 aggregate success. They celebrated their first African Champions League title. This triumph occurred following the second leg of this year’s final at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday.
The first leg in Pretoria finished 1-1. Fiston Mayele gave Pyramids the lead on 23 minutes. He profited from a Sundowns defensive error. Ahmed Samy doubled the advantage on 56 minutes. He scored with a header from a free-kick.
Sundowns pulled a goal back through Iqraam Rayners with 15 minutes remaining. One more goal would have given them victory in the tie on the away goals rule. However, Pyramids held firm despite heavy pressure from the visitors.
Pyramids are the fourth Egyptian side to lift the Champions League trophy after record 12-time winners Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily. Meanwhile, 2016 champions Sundowns head to this month’s Club World Cup in the United States on a low note.
-Reuters
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- 1. Pyramids aim to become the first new CAF Champions League winner since Sundowns (2016), the 13th in the modern era, and the 27th overall.
- 2. This is the 19th Champions League-era final featuring an Egyptian club. Previous teams (Al Ahly 10, Zamalek 1) have won 11 titles.
- 3. Including the pre-Champions League era, this is the 29th final for an Egyptian club, with 18 wins and 10 losses.
- 4. Pyramids have played only 1 of their last 9 matches at home but are unbeaten in their last 23 home games this season (W19 D4) and last 28 overall (W24 D4).
- 5. Pyramids scored in 22 of 23 home games this season; the only blank was a 0-0 draw vs Al Masry.
- 6.This season, they’ve won all 7 home matches, scoring 26 and conceding 6, with one clean sheet. In total, they’ve lost just 1 of 11 home matches in the competition.
- 7. Fiston Mayele leads with 8 goals in 12 matches (5 since group stage); Ibrahim Adel has 6 (also 5 post-group stage).
- 8. Ramadan Sobhi has 5 assists in 9 games (joint-most), plus 2 goals. He’s had major impact off the bench twice.
- 9. Askary Chibi has created 20 chances since the group stage — the most for Pyramids.
- 10. Pyramids have kept 3 clean sheets this season, all away, but remain dominant at home
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- 1. Sundowns are in their third CAF Champions League final (2001, 2016, 2024).
- 2. South African Record: First South African club to reach three finals, surpassing Orlando Pirates (2).
- 3. Sundowns hosted the first leg in all three finals. In 2001, they drew 1-1 at home and lost 2-0 away to Al Ahly.
- 4. Sundowns beat Zamalek 3-0 at home, lost 1-0 away, and won 3-1 on aggregate.
- 5. Sundowns have never scored in an away leg of a Champions League final, conceding five in total.
- 6. The current final marks the second time Sundowns led at home and failed to win (also in 2001).
- 7. A defeat would make Sundowns the first South African side to lose two finals.
- 8. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 10 matches vs Egyptian opposition (4wins and 6 draws).
- 9. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 4 visits to Egypt (2 wins and 2 draws).
- 10. A win would make Sundowns the first team since Al Ahly (2012) to win the title after failing to win the home leg.
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