CAF Confederation Cup
Advantage Rivers United!
BY SAMMY WEJINYA.
Nigeria’s sole survivor in Africa’s inter-clubs competitions, Rivers United, continue the battle to get to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup by having a 2-0 win over visiting Rayon Sports of Rwanda on Sunday.
A stupendous goal by Ivoirian marksman, Guy Kuemian was the highlight of Rivers United’s 2-0 victory over Rayon Sports in a CAF Confederation Cup game decided in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
The Nigerian club won courtesy of Kuemian’s extraordinary finish early in the second half and Emeka Atuloma’s sweetly-struck effort just before half time to put themselves in control of the playoff tie.
United came into the game in fine form following successive wins in domestic competition against ABS FC and Abia Warriors.
The confidence that stemmed from those wins was evident in their aggressive start against Rayon Sports on a hot and humid day at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium.
Emeka Ogbugh should have scored in the fourth minute when he turned his marker inside out only to drag his effort inches wide from eight yards.
Six minutes later, the ‘Pride of Rivers’ enjoyed a gilt-edged opening but the chance to get an early breakthrough went up in smoke as Bolaji Sakin hit his effort straight at the Rayon Sports goalkeeper, Ndayishinye Eric.
The visitors were meanwhile looking assured in possession, menacing in the final third and were unlucky not to score on two occasions inside the opening 25 minutes.
Sunday Rotimi was the saviour for United both times and in the first instance on 12 minutes, his heroic block saved the hosts embarrassment following a poorly-executed offside trap.
The veteran goalkeeper was in exemplary form again in the 23rd minute as he saved well to deny the dangerous Kwizera Pierrot at the second time of asking from 25 odd yards.
Those missed opportunities would prove fatal for Gikundiro (nickname of Rayon Sports) as United took the lead against the run of play in the 29th minute through Atuloma who had been booked just moments earlier for an act of petulance.
The defensive midfielder timed his run to perfection to meet a cross with a brilliant half volley that left Ndayishinye with little chance.
Kuemian rounded off the scoring with his best ever goal for United, out of nothing, to underline his status as one of the most extravagantly-gifted marksmen in Nigeria’s top football division.
The Ivoirian came close to completing his brace and giving United an even bigger margin of victory late on following a howler from Ndayishinye but lost his footing at the opportune moment.
Technical Manager of Rivers United, Stanley Eguma spoke to the club’s official website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng after the game.
“It was a highly tactical game and I am pleased with our win in the end.
“However, this is not the time to celebrate as we still have to see out the second leg,” he said.
Nothing has been decided yet as the two sides meet again on April 22 at imposing 30,000 capacity Amahoro Stadium, Kigali for the return fixture.
The prize for the victors, over two legs, is a place in the group stage of the competition.
CAF Confederation Cup
‘Nzogbu Nzogbu’ Enyimba enyi as Enyimba limp into Confederation Cup Group stage!
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.
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.”
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!
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.
“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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