Nigeria Profeesional Football League side, Rivers United have qualified for the geoup stage of the 2023/2024 CAF Confederation Cup season.
The former Nigerian champions beat Burkina Faso club Etoile Filante 2 nil on aggreagte at the Adokiye Amieaimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Sunday evening.
Stanley Eguma’s side started the game quite well but failed to break the resilolute away side who also had some moment of brilliance in front of goal.
Rivers United’s sustained pressure led to the away side giving away a penalty in the 18th minute but Ebedebiri Endurance’s effort was saved from 12 yards.
The first half ended goaless as neither side could find the back of the net.
PENALTY to Rivers Utd
— Official54fx (@54footballx) October 1, 2023
Ebedebiri Endurance sees his effort saved from 12yrds.
Big miss!
18’ Rivers Utd 0-0 Etiole Filante (0-0 on agg)#CAFCC #54FootballXCAFCC pic.twitter.com/rAefRrqH76
Farouk Mohammed’s long range shot was parried away as Rivers United started the second half with sustained momentum.
The pressure soon paid off as the home side won another penalty but once again they failed to convert as Farouk Mohammed failed to score.
Two consecutive missed penalties saw some home fans leave the stadium out of frustration with less than 15 minutes to go.
However, Rivers United kept putting pressure on the Etoile Filante defense who were playing with 10 men after one of their players got sent off.
The goal finally came in the 89th minute as Alex Oyowah slots home a beautiful striker from a deft cut-back.
With 10 minutes of added time, Rivers United won another penalty and this time, Alex Oyowah made no mistake as he doubled the advantage of the home side.
The match ended 2 nil as Stanley Eguma’s men qualify for the group stage of the competition.
The Port Harcourt based side are the only Nigerian team on the continent this season after league champions Enyimba crashed out of the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.
Remo Stars also crashed out in the same stage while Federation Cup winners, Bendel Insurance fall to Berkane of Morocco 3-2 on aggregate in the final round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Video credit: 54Footballx
