CAF Confederation Cup
Rivers Utd, Plateau Utd bounce back into CAF Confederation Cup reckoning
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.
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.
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.
Zamalek commenced their CAF Confederation Cup journey with a 1-0 win over Kenya’s Police in the initial leg of the second preliminary round held in Nairobi this Saturday.
Veteran winger Abdallah El-Saied secured the win for the Whites with a precise strike from outside the box just a minute before halftime.
The Cairo giants, winners of the 2023-2024 CAF Confederation Cup title, started the match with relentless pressure on the hosts to clinch victory in the first leg and alleviate pressure before the upcoming return fixture in Cairo next Friday.
“The most important thing for us was to win and achieve our target,” Zamalek coach Gomes said after the game.
Hosts Police FC of Kenya could not breach Zamalek’s resolute defense in search of an equalizer.
Despite notable summer acquisitions, Zamalek’s coach Jose Gomes opted for a standard lineup, integrating young talents in lieu of seasoned players.
“We are now stronger than the previous season, thanks to spending more time with the team and preparing to play in the tournaments that we will participate in,” the Portuguese coach added.
Conversely, Kenya’s Police FC squandered a clear scoring opportunity against Zamalek, missing a crucial chance fifteen minutes before the final whistle, dashing hopes of leveling the score.
Kenya’s Police FC earned their place in this round following a hard-fought 1-0 aggregate victory over Ethiopia Coffee SC.
-Ahram
Nigeria’s Enyimba played a thrilling 0-0 draw with Burkina Faso’s Etoile Filante in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second round tie in Bamako on Friday.
There have been three previous confrontation with Burkina Faso teams and this Friday encounter was the second time that Enyimba had had to face Etoile Filante.
According to facts supplied by Opta Nigeria, Etoile Filante were Enyimba’s first ever opponent on the continent 22 years ago in March 2002. Ever since, Enyimba have played 157 times on the continent; the highest by any Nigerian club.
Enyimba carry their advantage to the return leg to be played on 22 September.
Nigeria’s sole survivors in the CAF Confederation Cup,Enyimba will face Burkina Faso sides, Etoile de Filante in the second round of the competition.
Enyimba drew bye in the preliminary round while the Burkina Faso team reached the second round after eliminating Hafia of Guinea.
Enyimba, second runners-up in the Nigerian League will be attempting to win the Confederation Cup for the first time for Nigeria as they did in the Champions League 21 years ago.
Many fans risk missing 2026 World Cup as Visa window for visitors is closing
Nigeria’s Victor Olatunji becomes third African scoring debutant in Uefa Champions League
Lagos sports writers mourn Adeyinka Adebayo
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
AIU releases its report on Tobi Amusan
-
AFCON1 week agoSuper Eagles lead Afcon Group D qualifiers despite Benin’s defeat of Libya
-
AFCON1 week agoAustin Eguavoen remains the ‘Big Boss’, says NFF
-
AFCON1 week agoWhy I benched Osimhen again – Eguavoen
-
AFCON1 week agoRwanda newspaper gives 5 lessons gleaned from Rwanda-Nigeria clash
-
Nigerian Football1 week agoWesterhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job
-
AFCON1 week agoNigeria’s managerial crisis resumes as Eguavoen reportedly declines to continue
-
AFCON1 week agoPresent and Past as CAF Coaches Symposium unites Rohr, Peseiro and Eguavoen
-
CAF Confederation Cup6 days agoEnyimba continues unbeaten run against Burkina Faso clubs