Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Nigerian clubsides record impressive wins in CAF competitions

The Nigerian clubs achieved impressive wins over two defending champions, one four-time winners.

• October 9, 2022
Kwara, Plateau, Rivers Uniteds
Kwara, Plateau and Rivers United

All three Nigerian clubs in continental competitions this season recorded remarkable comebacks to win their respective second preliminary fixtures on Sunday evening.

The sole Nigerian club in the CAF Confederation Cup, Kwara United, came back from one goal down to thrash defending champions RSB Berkane 3-1 in the second preliminary round match at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium in Lagos.

Burkina Faso’s Cheick Ouattara scored with a header to put RSB Berkane just seven minutes into the encounter. There was no more goal in the encounter despite several attempts from both teams as the first half ended 1-0 in favour of the visitors.

Finally, after several attempts by Kwara United, a one-two play by Taofeeq Ahmed and Issa Gata resulted in a long awaited goal with the former getting the equaliser for the Nigerian side in the 73rd minute.

Just six minutes later, Wasiu jimoh bent the ball past RSB Berkane goalkeeper Hamza Hamiani to put Kwara United ahead for the first time in the fixture.

Barnabas Daniel scored with a perfect header to seal the victory for Kwara United as the Harmony Boys pulled off an impressive performance to record a 3-1 win over RSB Berkane.

Meanwhile in the CAF Champions League, Plateau United also made an outstanding comeback to defeat four-time winners of the competition Espérance Sportive de Tunis 2-1 at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

Ani Al-Badri scored in the 27th minute to give Espérance the lead before Ifeanyi Emmanuel’s header put the ball into the back of the net from Daniel Itodo’s throw to equalise for Plateau United.

Itodo with another Rory Delap’s style throw to Mustapha Ibrahim as he nodded the ball into the net to put the Nigerian side ahead for the first time in the match as the first half ended 2-1.

Neither of the two sides were able to find the back of the net in the second half of the action-packed encounter as Plateau United recorded an impressive win.

In Port Harcourt, Nigerian champions Rivers United came back from one goal down to defeat defending champions Wydad Athletic Club 2-1 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.

Wydad took the lead in the 32nd minute of the second preliminary round match but Rivers United responded almost immediately.

Malachi Ohawume scored two minutes later to level the game for the reigning Nigeria Professional Football League winners.

The first half ended in a 1-1 draw in the second preliminary round fixture.

Rivers United went into the lead for the first time in the encounter when Paul Acquah slotted a clinical ball into the net to make it 2-1 in the 54th minute.

Efforts by both teams to score against in the encounter were futile as Rivers United walked away with an important victory. 

The return legs of the fixtures will take place at the weekend, with Rivers United playing Wydad Athletic in Morocco, Plateau also locking horns with Espérance in Tunisia also on Friday.

Meanwhile, Kwara United will travel to Morocco to face RSB Berkane on Saturday. The winners of this round will proceed to the group stage of both competitions.

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