Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
Rivers United defeated Al Masry of Egypt two-one in Aba in the first leg play-off tie of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederations Cup.
First-half goals from Uche Onwuansanya and Ishaq Kayode earned Rivers United a playoff round first-leg win, although Mohamed Antar’s 27th-minute goal had given the Egyptians hope.
The home side started the brighter and were rewarded after twenty-five minutes, Uche Onwuansanya following up to rifle in a low shot from a Malachi Ohawume’s pass.
Al Masry sports club drew level almost immediately when Mohamed Antar against the run of play found the back of the net.
Rivers United found their rhythm and restored their lead when Ishaq Kayode was allowed to get on the end of Malachi Ohawume’s flick to slam in from within range.
Speaking to newsmen after the game, the Technical Adviser of Rivers United Stanley Eguma said the team still has a big mountain to climb.
“It is a narrow win but I think it is not yet over. We will go back to Cairo and continue the search for goals. We know it’s going to be difficult but we will not go there to defend, we will go there to ensure that we score goals as we did today because it is only goals that will make us qualify” he said.
The second leg takes place at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt on Sunday 5th December 2021.
Al Masry to file a complaint to CAF over non-compliance of covid 19 Protocols in Aba
In the meantime, Al Masry has concluded an arrangement to complain to CAF concerning what happened in the first leg playoff of a confederation cup match against Nigeria’s Rivers United.
According to the Egyptian side, the Nigerian club failed to apply compulsory coronavirus protocol directed by CAF, a huge crowd present in the game, and poor handling of the game from the center referee.
“Al Masry administration will file a complaint about the failure to apply health requirements to limit the spread of new coronavirus and its new parameter towards the mass attendance in the match.
“We will also file against the referee of the match Mohammed Ali Moussa of Niger, as a result of adverse decisions over the course of the two halves of the meeting towards the Al Masry team which caused more nervousness in the match”, the club said.
Al Masry will host the return leg in Egypt this weekend hoping to turn the table against Nigeria’s club.
