Rivers United FC got a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Etoile Filante de Ouagadougou of Burkina Faso at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Sunday, October 1, 2023, to advance to the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup.
The Pride of Rivers overcame a tumultuous display which saw fans exit the game angrily before the blast of the final whistle.
Rivers United were handed an opportunity to take the lead from the spot on two separate occasions but Endurance Ebedebiri and Farouk Mohammed failed to convert their spot kicks.
18 minutes into the game, Endurance Ebedebiri saw his shot saved from 12 yards by the opposition’s goalkeeper which kept the game in a deadlock, despite further attempts to score from open play.
Farouk Mohamed then got the opportunity to redeem his side in the second half and from the spot as well, but he failed to convert.
More Chances went begging for the Port-Harcourt Club as they lacked cutting edge and intentionality on the attack.
Alex Oyowah jumped to the rescue in the 89th minute as he slotted the ball into the back of the net from a cutback, as the ball fell on his feet inside the 18-yard box to give Rivers United a much desired goal and lead.
Etoile Filante was reduced to 10 men after a shabby display in the 18-yard box which saw Rivers United awarded a third penalty deep into stoppage time and Alex Oyowah made sure to blast it in, grabbing a brace and the group stage ticket for his side.
Rivers United is now the only Nigerian representative in the continent.
Enyimba and Remo were ousted in the first-round preliminary round of the CAF Champions League while Bendel Insurance were knocked out 3-2 on aggregate by RS Berkane in the Confederation Cup.
Stanley Eguma’s side will look to advance from the group stages to exceed their last season’s reach (quarter-final) and bring glory to the country.
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