Sports
Rivers Utd through to Confederation Cup group stage
Nigeria Professional Football League side, Rivers United, have qualified for the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup after defeating Rayon Sports 2-0 on aggregate after a goalless second leg at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda on Saturday.
Rivers had secured a two-goal advantage from the first leg at Port Harcourt, thanks to strikes from Guy Kuemian and Emeka Atuloma last Sunday, and were able to hold their opponents to a draw away.
Playing in front of a near capacity crowd, United stood their ground and held out for a valiant 0-0 draw which saw them ease into the group stage of the revamped competition.
“We lost to a better and more experienced side today and I want to say congratulations to Rivers United in their quest to win the Caf Confederation Cup,” head coach of Rayon Sports, Masudi Djuma told reporters after the game.
In the dying minute of the first half both sides had chances to break the deadlock but fluffed their lines.
Read Also: Rayon coach Masudi eyes group stage ticket despite Rivers Utd defeat
At the start of the second half, Rayon Sports turned the heat on, forcing Rivers United to commit several fouls and in the 58th minute Ifeanyi Nweke was sent off.
But the Pride of Rivers defended well to book a place in the group stages of the continental second-tier Confederation Cup.
Technical manager of Rivers United, Stanley Eguma also spoke after the game.
“It was a tough match but it was what we expected.
“We had a tactical plan and even after we had a man sent off, we did not panic.
“I am pleased that we were able to get the job done and qualify for the group stage of the competition,” he said.
Rivers United thus become the 16th and final side to qualify for the group stage of the 2017 Caf Confederation Cup and are the only Nigerian club still left in inter Caf club competition.
As it stands, the ‘Pride of Rivers’ are the only Nigerian club left in continental competition this season after the early exits of Enugu Rangers, FC IfeanyiUbah and Wikki Tourists.
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