Rivers, Plateau United record slim victories against Esperance, Wydad

Nigeria’s representatives in this year’s CAF inter-club competitions, Rivers United, Plateau United and Kwara United Sunday recorded come-back victories over their North African opponents in the first leg of the second preliminary round of their respective competitions.

Although faced with herculean tasks, the NPFL trio didn’t do much damage to their ambition as they all fought back to win against Champions League holders, Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco, Esperance of Tunisia and Confederation Cup holders, RS Berkane also of Morocco.

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At the Adokiye Amesiamaka, Rivers United fought back to beat Wydad Casablanca 2-1 leaving them with a mountain to climb in the return leg.

Bouly Sambou shocked the home fans when he drew the first blood for the visitors in the 33 minutes but two minutes later, Malachi Ohawume equalised for Rivers United for both teams to go into the break on level terms.

On resumption, Rivers United piled more pressure on the visitors who refused to cave in until the 54th minute when Ghanaian import, Paul Acquah scored the winning goal for the home side.

In the other Champions League match in Abuja, Plateau United also squeezed past former champions, Esperance of Tunisia 2-1 with a former CHAN Eagles striker, Ibrahim Mustapha ‘Yuga’ scoring the crucial winner in the last minute of the first half.

Emmanuel Ifeanyi had put Plateau United in front in the 24th minute but three minutes later, the visitors found their way back into the contest with a timely equaliser by Anice Badri.

However, when it appeared both sides were heading into the dressing room on equal terms, the Nigerian international, Mustapha popped up with the winning goal in the 45th minute.

The biggest winner was no doubt Kwara United who recovered from an early setback to beat Confederation Cup holders, RS Berkane 3-1 in Lagos.

Although the ‘Afonja Warriors’ failed to erase Djibril Quattara’s 7th minute goal, Taofeek Ahmed, Wasiu Jimoh and Barnabas Daniel scored a goal each in the second half to give Kwara United a comfortable win ahead of the return leg in Morocco.

Aggregate winners after return leg matches next week will proceed to the money-spinning group stage of the CAF Champions League and Confederation cup respectively.