Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) reigning champions, Rivers United yesterday suffered a serious setback in their bid to break the Confederation Cup jinx as they were stunned 2-0 by Tanzanian Premier League champions Yanga SC also called Young Africans who have now have put one foot into the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup.
A second half brace from Fiston Mayele earned Yanga the massive victory in the match played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Young Africans who topped their group that consisted of African heavyweights TP Mazembe, Real Bamako and Monastir of Algeria will now have all the advantage heading into next weekend’s home tie in Dar es Salaam, where they will be staring at a first ever continental semi-final appearance.
“I am delighted to win because it is not easy to come to Nigeria and win. We played well and took our chances, but the game is far from over. We still have the second leg and we need to do even better to ensure we qualify,” Nasreddine Nabi, the Yanga head coach said.
Mayele broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute when he was picked out by a brilliant through ball from skipper Bakari Mwamnyeto.
The Congolese import ran to the pass before hitting it past the keeper for the first time.
The same pair was to work together for the second goal scored nine minutes from time, this time Mwamnyeto passing back a recycled ball from a set-piece to Mayele who made no mistake with the second goal.
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