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CAF Confederation Cup

Rivers Utd, Plateau Utd bounce back into CAF Confederation Cup reckoning

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The duo of Nigeria teams – Rivers United and Plateau United – moved close into getting into the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup after posting impressive results in their first leg matches against Libyan oppositions.

Rivers United had an emphatic 5-0 win over Al Nasr at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt while at the Abuja MKO Abiola National Stadium, Plateau United beat Al Akhdar 4-1.

Plateau United will advance if they avoid a 3-0 loss in the return leg. In the case of Rivers United, they are as good as flowing into the Confederation Cup group phase except they concede anothe 6-0 loss in the away match.

Their 6-0 loss in Morocco last month is the heaviest defeat ever inflicted on a Nigerian club since the country’s debut in the continent in 1968.

At the Adokiye Amasiamaka Stadium Rivers United kept the home fans agog going into the offensive rightfrom the kick-off.

They got the opener in the 11th minute via a penalty kick when Paul Acquah was brought down in the box by the Libyan goalkeeper.

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The spot kick was well converted by Ebube Duru in the 12th minute before Kazie Enyinnaya doubled Rivers United’s lead three minutes later.

Acquah made it 3-0 just before the half time and ensured that Rivers returned to the locker room with a comfortable lead.

Rivers United got another penalty in the 63rd minute and was converted by Duru to make 4-0 and his brace while Malachi Ohahume wrapped up the game in the 74th minute and handed a comprehensive 5-0 win to the Nigerian side.

In Abuja, Plateau United gave their numerous fans a lot to cheer with a 4-1 win against Al Akhdar of Libya at the at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

Just like Rivers United, Plateau United dominated the game and their efforts off paid earlier with an opening goal from Mustapha Yuga in the 27th minute.

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Ifeanyi Emmanuel added the second goal just before halftime and handed the host a well-deserved 2-0 lead.

Albert Hilary scored the third goal in the 53rd minute but the assistant referee flagged him offside but he had his name on the scorer’s sheet with fantastic goal in the 75th minute.

The visitors reduced the deficit in the 85th minute before Hilary completed his brace in the 90th minute and secured a 4-1 win for the Nigeria side.

The reverse fixture of the matches holds next week.

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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CAF Confederation Cup

‘Nzogbu Nzogbu’ Enyimba enyi as Enyimba limp into Confederation Cup Group stage!

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It was not easy, but the end justified the means. Enyimba had to go through the lottery of penalty shoot-out to get into the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday in Uyo after playing a barren draw with visiting Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso.

 The first leg also ended goalless leading to penalty shoot-out as tie breaker. Enyimba won 3-2 on penalties.

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CAF Confederation Cup

CAF Confederation Cup: Enyimba target victory after Solid Showing in Bamako

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Enyimba FC head coach Yemi Olarenwaju has set his sights on securing a crucial victory in Sunday’s second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup tie against Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou.

His confidence is built on the  goalless draw in the first leg in Bamako.

“The job is far from over, and we can’t afford to celebrate yet. The return leg in Uyo will be crucial,” Olarenwaju was quoted by the club’s website as saying.

“We’ll go back to the drawing board, work harder, and prepare for the challenge ahead.”

Olarenwaju praised his team’s tactical edge and discipline, which nullified the hosts’ attacking threats. “We had a clear game plan, and the players executed it perfectly. Our tactical discipline prevented Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou from creating any meaningful scoring opportunities.”

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The Enyimba FC boss acknowledged the tough opposition but remains confident in his team’s ability to secure a win at home.

“Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou is a formidable opponent, but we have the quality and determination to get the job done in Uyo.”

As we look forward to the return leg, we urge all Enyimba FC fans to come out in their numbers and support the team at the Uyo Stadium. Let’s make our home advantage count and cheer the People’s Elephant to victory!

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CAF Confederation Cup

Enyimba’s midfielder, Daga confident of Confederation Cup group stage ticket

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Enyimba’s midfielder,  Daniel Daga, has pledged to lead club to victory against Etoile Filante in the return leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second round on Sunday.

The People’s Elephant are looking to build on their impressive performance in the first leg, which ended in a goalless draw in Bamako, Mali. Despite creating several scoring opportunities, Enyimba were unable to find the back of the net.

However, Daga remains optimistic about their chances in the return leg having missed the first leg of the encounter due to a slight knock

“Our resolve is to win and advance to the group stages,” he stated confidently. “We understand that they are a difficult opponent, but we have just one task, which is to win, and that is exactly what we are going to do.”

A win for Enyimba FC would guarantee their spot in the group stages, a feat that would make them the only Nigerian team in the competition’s group phase.

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“We know the importance of this match, and we’re ready to give it our all,” Daga added. “We want to make Nigeria proud and show that we’re a force to be reckoned with in African football.”

Head coach, Yemi Olarenwaju, has been fine-tuning his tactics, and the team is eager to execute their game plan.

“The first leg result gives us an advantage, but we won’t take anything for granted,” Olarenwaju said. “We’ll push for victory and secure our spot in the group stages.”

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