CAF CC: Rivers United beat Etoile Filante to seal group stage qualification

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Rivers United sealed a spot in the group stage of the 2023/2024 CAF Confederation Cup after a 2-0 win against Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso at the Adokiye Amesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt on Sunday.

The Nigeria’s surviving representative on the continent, had held a -0-0 draw in the first leg in Yamussoukro.

On the reverse fixture, the Port Harcourt-based side had the chance to break the deadlock in the 17th minute after Nyima Nwagua was pulled down in the box but missed the resulting spot kick.

After a barren draw at half time, desperate Stanley Eguma’s side had another chance from the spot but missed the second penalty of the encounter in the 69th minute.

The deadlock, however, was finally broken in the 89th minute when Alex Oyowah picked his spot and slotted in from close range.

With ten additional minutes after 90 minutes, the Pride of Rivers had another penalty call after Joseph Onoja was bundled in the box and Oyowah scored his brace to guarantee the victory for the former Nigerian champions.

For the second season in a row, Rivers United sealed a spot in the group stage of the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup.

They remained the sole Nigerian representative on the continent after Enyimba, Remo Stars, and Bendel Insurance crashed out of the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup respectively.