CAF Confederation Cup victory qualification feat delights Rivers United’s Nwagwa

Rivers United forward, Nyima Nwagwa has expressed delight in his side’s CAF Confederation Cup group stage qualification.

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Champions on Wednesday forced host, Al Nasr of Libya to a 1-1 draw to qualify for the group stage of the 2022/2023 CAF Confederation Cup 6-1 on aggregate.

Nyima Nwagwa who scored the leveller for Rivers United revealed that the coach of the Port Harcourt-based side challenged the team to ensure that they don’t allow a second flag down in Libya.

Another Nigerian side in the CAF Confederation Cup, Plateau United have suffered a 3-0 defeat to another Libyan side Al Ahkdar after a 4-1 lead from the first leg.

“It was not an easy game. We saw how the hostility was against our brothers from Nigeria (Plateau United). Before the game, the Technical crew told us that the flag is down and we have to raise it up,” Nyima Nwagwa told Brila FM.

“We decided not to give up and make Nigeria proud. We wanted to keep our continental slot and keep Nigeria’s flag flying in the Confederation Cup.”

After a 5-0 lead from the first leg in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Rivers United went behind after a goal from Abdul Selam Al Fitouri in the 39th minute.

Nyima Nwagwa equalised for Rivers United in the 57th minute at the Martyrs of February Stadium, Benghazi.

Plateau United with the aggregate victory qualified for the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup and remain Nigeria’s only representative after the ouster of Plateau United, Remo Stars, and Kwara United.