Nigerian league champions Rivers United handed Cote d’Ivoire side ASEC Mimosas a battering in their second group stage game of this season’s CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC) on Sunday, running out 3-0 winners.
Both teams failed to win their opening group games last weekend; United went down 3-0 at Diables Noirs in Congo while ASEC were held 0-0 by Motema Pembe in Abidjan.
Rivers United however got off to a best possible start in the game decided at the Nest of Champions, Uyo when striker Malachi Ohawume slid home Nyima Nwagua’s pass inside the opening minute of the game, his effort going in off the inside of the bottom left.
The visitors then showed some marked improvement compared to the performance that saw them held at home in their last game but they frittered away a couple of good chances while Rivers United also had half chances on the break.
The hosts however doubled their advantage three minutes before the break through in-form midfielder Williams Ukeme who lashed into the bottom left from 20 yards after Nyima Nwagua teed him up.
ASEC’s hopes of mounting a spirited comeback into the games was dashed early in the second half when Cameroonian defender Denis Ngweni Ndiasi headed home Ebube Duru’s corner kick.
Rivers United goalkeeper Sochima Victor also came to his team’s rescue a number of times in the second half to preserve his clean sheet in his first appearance for the club in 2023.
Stanley Eguma’s side are now second on the Group B log with three points from two games, one point behind Diables Noirs who held DC Motema Pembe to a 0-0 draw in Luanda on Sunday.
Rivers United will next face Motema Pembe in Kinshasa next Sunday but before then, they have a date with Bayelsa United in a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Group B clash on Wednesday.
U20AFCON: Flying Eagles beaten by Senegal
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria could not fly against their counterparts from Senegal as they were beaten 1-0 in the opening game of the CAF U20AFCON in Egypt on Sunday.
The fixture, played at the Cairo International Stadium, was quite cagey and physical in its opening exchanges, as chances were difficult to come by.
When Ladan Bosso’s men were beginning to get their rhythm, the Junior Teranga Lions were equally getting better and created a few chances to score and in the 40th minute of the game, via a quick counterattack, Souleymane Faye slammed the ball into the roof of the Flying Eagles’ net to hand his side the lead.
Deep into stoppage time, things went from bad to worse for the Flying Eagles as Ahmed Abdullahi, who had only come on for Adams Olamilekan, received his marching orders following a second bookable offence.
The loss leaves Nigeria bottom of Group A, following a goalless draw in the opening fixture between hosts Egypt and Mozambique.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
