Nigeria’s remaining representatives in 2022/2023 CAF InterClub competitions; Rivers United and Plateau United on Wednesday excelled in their first leg games which ended in five-goal thrillers.
Both Rivers and Plateau United dropped down from the CAF Champions League to the Playoff Round of the Confederation Cup and were drawn to face two Libyan sides; Al Nasr Benghazi and Al Akhdar respectively with the first leg billed for today November 2, 2022.
Playing in the day’s earlier game, reigning Nigerian league champions Rivers United pummeled their opponents Al Nasr Benghazi 5-0 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The Pride of Rivers took the lead in the 13th minute when Ebube Duru scored from the penalty spot after winger Paul Acquah was upended inside the box before Enyinnaya Kazie doubled the advantage two minutes later when he capitalised on an error by Al Nasr goalkeeper Asiyil Almiqasbi.
Acquah then got on the score sheet just before the interval to give Stanley Eguma’s men a healthy half time advantage. Duru converted another spot kick in the 64th minute before Malachi Ohawume rounded off the scoring in the 72nd minute.
The win put Rivers United in pole position to qualify for the group stage of Africa’s second tier club competition and will require a major catastrophe in the return leg next Wednesday.
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At the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Plateau United also featured in a five-goal thriller as they walloped Libya’s Al Akhdar 4-1 to take a solid advantage into the second leg.
Fidelis Ilechukwu’s wards got the curtain raiser in the 27th minute through striker Ibrahim Mustapha Yuga who headed home from close range before defender Ifeanyi Emmanuel added an header of his own in the 40 the minute.
Substitute Albert Hillary then scored twice in the second half, either side of a consolation by Al Akhdar to bring the result to 4-1. Both teams will face in the return leg next mid-week to determine who gets a slot into the group stage of the Confederation Cup.
