It was a good outing for Nigerian clubs on the continent over the weekend. Two clubs each are representing Nigeria in both the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.
Rivers United and Plateau United are currently participating in the top tier continental club competition, the CAF Champions League. Meanwhile, the two Nigerian clubs in the CAF Confederation Cup are Kwara United and Remo Stars.
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Over the weekend, both Rivers United and Plateau United recorded emphatic 3-0 victories in their respective matches. Plateau United played a 2-2 draw away from home while Remo worked hard to grab a 1-1 draw in Morocco. We take a quick review of all four matches.
CAF Champions League
Rivers United 3-0 Watanga FC (Liberia)
The Pride of Rivers began their CAF Champions League journey on an impressive note by comprehensively beating Liberian club Watanga FC.
Stanley Eguma’s men took charge right from kick off and looked more destined to end the contest as winners.
Eight minutes into the encounter, Kenechukwu Agu opened the scoring for the home side with a delightful finish.
Playing with flare and beauty, the Nigerian outfit extended their lead in the 18th minute via Ebube Duru. The former U23 player released a 20-yard shot after a beautifully worked assist from Ghanaian midfielder Paul Acquah.
Acquah grabbed the third goal for the ‘Pride of Rivers’ on the stroke of halftime to seal the win. Despite returning from the break with a much improved performance, the visitors failed to break the home side’s defence.
The second leg of the encounter is scheduled to hold at the Sam Kenyon Stadium in Monrovia.
AS Stade Mandji (Gabon) 2-2 Plateau United
Plateau United are the other Nigerian representatives in the CAF CL, and the team impressed with an away draw.
The ‘Peace Boys’ led twice in the match as they were pegged back by their opponents AS Stade Mandji.
With the 2-2 result, it means the Nigerian outfit remain unbeaten in continental matches where they scored first.
Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side will aim to win the return leg in Nigeria on Sunday, 18th December at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
The winner of the tie over the two legs will battle Tunisian side, Esperance in the second preliminary round for a spot in the group stage.
CAF Confederation Cup
Kwara United 3-0 AS Douanes (Niger Republic)
In the CAF Confederation Cup, Kwara United made light work of visiting AS Douanes. The game, played at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, proved to be a masterclass performance from Kwara.
Wasiu Jimoh netted a brace to help the Nigerians to a comfortable 3-0 victory over the Nigerian side.
Paul Samson drew the first blood in the 5th minute to send a statement of winning intent. Jimoh, who had troubled the away side’s defence during the opening exchanges, doubled the advantage in the 17th minute.
The former Shooting Stars attacker netted his second of the day four minutes before halftime.
As expected, the visitors were better in the second half and denied the Afonja warriors opportunities to extend their lead.
Kwara United will travel to Niger for the second leg clash in Niamey next weekend.
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FAR Rabat (Morocco) 1-1 Remo Stars
Remo Stars commenced their continental campaign with a hard fought draw against FAR Rabat in Morocco.
The match which was played on Sunday evening saw the Ikenne-based outffit avoid defeat in a tense affair.
The Nigerian club, making their debut on the continent, went behind three minutes before the half-hour mark as Diney Borges gave the hosts the lead with a cheap goal.
Remo Stars goalkeeper Bankole Kayode made a series of strong of saves to deny the hosts from extending their lead.
Parity was however restored four minutes into the second half when Adams Olamilekan headed in the eqauliser.
The second half was largely tension-soaked with the game eventually ending in a 1-1 draw.
Coach Daniel Ogunmodede’s boys will host the Moroccan club on Sunday, 18 September in the return leg.
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