Rivers United brushed aside Angolan side Academica in a convincing manner as they kick-start their 2023/2024 CAF Confederation Cup campaign on a wining note.
Even though tge former Nigerian champions played away from home, they had no difficulty whatsover in navigating the Godswill Akpabio Stadium as they showed dominance from start to finish.
Rivers United, being the overwhelming favorites, started the match with real purpose and intention as tgey mounted pressure on their visitors from the blast of the whistle.
The pressure paid off almost immediately as the firat goal of three came in the third minute. Paul Odeh placed a beautiful pass from the edge of the box to Ghanaian midfelder, Samuel Antwi who put the ball beyond tge reach of the goalkeeper from close range to give the home side the lead.
With the early goal advantage, Stanley Eguma’s boys cobtrolled the game but had little or nothing to show for it in terms of doubling their advantage as the first half ended 1 nil.
Rivers United doubled their advantage a minute after restart and it was defender Paul Odeh who stepped up.
The 30-year-old defender took advantage of a poor clearance by the visitors as he powered a long-range strike into the back of the net.
The visitors rarely troubled Rivers United in the match and the home side took advantage of it to add more to their tally.
Shedrack Asiegbu took advantage of a square ball into the box from before he powered a left-footed strike into the net to make it 3 nil on the hour mark.
With three goals conceded already, Academica opted for damage control as they brought in an extra defender, a midfielder and a forward witg the hope of getting a consolation goal.
However, the match ended in a comfortable 3 nil for Rivers United as they begin their quest for a continental title on an excellent note.
Rivers United are grouped alongsise Club Africain and Dreams FC in group C of the competition.
