Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
Rivers United completed a double over Young Africans of Tanzania to earn a place in the first round of the CAF TotalEnergies Champions League.
An 82nd-minute strike from newbie Uche Onwuasonaya gave Rivers United a 1-0 win to progress 2-0 on aggregate.
Recall, Rivers United held a slender 1-0 advantage after the game in Dar es Salam.
It was a cagey affair at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, but Stanley Eguma’s inspired second-half substitutions made the difference.
Substitute Uche Onwuasonaya netted the winning goal for Stanley Eguma’s men nine minutes from time.
The victory earns Rivers United a first-round ticket where they will face Sudanese giants Al Hilal.
It’s a hard-earned victory – Eguma
The Technical Manager of Rivers United Stanley Eguma has hailed his side for their doggedness in the game against Young Africans of Tanzania.
Stanley Eguma said the team showed character despite the antics of their opponents before and during the game.
He said the team will now focus their energy in their next game against Al Hilal of Sudan in the first round stage of the CAF Champions League.
Akwa United crash out of CAF Champions League
The Nigeria Premier League Champions Akwa United failed in their bid to reach the first round of the CAF Champions League after losing two-nil to CR Belouizdad in the reverse fixture in Algeria.
Akwa United won the first leg one-nil in Uyo.
CR Belouizdad progressed on two one on aggregate.
In the CAF Confederation Cup, Bayelsa United also advanced into the next round after a 4-2 win against Ashanti Golden Boys of Guinea.
The Yenagoa club raced into a 3-0 lead after 35 minutes courtesy of goals from Favour Martins, Okardi Inikurogha, and Emo James.
Okardi scored the fourth goal for the Yenagoa club in the second half.
Moussa Keita bagged a brace for the visitors in the game.
Bayelsa United will face Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien in the next round.
