November 03, (THEWILL) – Rivers United and Plateau United, each defeated Libyan opponents at home in the opening leg of the CAF Confederation Cup play-off, giving Nigerian teams a huge boost in their quest to keep four spots in continental club tournaments for the upcoming season.
According to the new rule, a Nigerian club team must advance to the group stage of the continental club tournament and at least the quarter-finals to have a chance of fielding two clubs in both the Confederations Club tournament and the CAF Champions League.
Yesterday, in Port Harcourt and Abuja, respectively, Rivers United and Plateau United, who were eliminated from the CAF Champions League, did not let their fans down.
Rivers United thrashed El Nasr Bengazhi of Libya 5-0 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium. Ebube Duru, Kazie Enyinaya, and Paul Acquah scored goals for coach Stanley Eguma Rivers’s team to give them a three-goal advantage at the interval. Before Malachi Ohawume sealed the victory ahead of the rematch in Libya on Wednesday, Duru scored once more in the second half to make it five.
Plateau United defeated Al Akhdar 4-1 at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, with two first half goals from Mustapha Yuga and Ifeanyi Emmanuel in the 27th and 40th minutes, respectively. The second leg of the doubleheader is also billed for next week Wednesday in Libya.
