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CAF CL: Festus Austin upbeat about Rivers United’s continental progression
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Rivers United’s Festus Austin says the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Champions are in good stead to progress inspite of a slim 2-1 home win against CAF Champions League title holders, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco.
Holders, Wydad Casablanca took the lead thanks to a goal from Senegalese forward, Bouly Sambou in the 32nd minute at the Adokiye Amesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
Three minutes later, the host equalised as Malachi Ohawuma find the back of the net while Ghanaian midfielder, Paul Acquah converted Rivers United’s second goal in the 53rd minute.
“We expected a tough match. It’s still a 50/50 chance. We have done 50% of the job at home and have another 50% to complete away in Morocco. We need to learn from our mistakes of the first leg and improve on our teamwork,” Austin told journalists after the game.
“The fact that we are playing against the Champions of the CAF Champions League made the game to be tough because they gave us a good fight. Unfortunately for us, we couldn’t convert our chances to score more goals against them,” the Rivers United captain concluded.
The return leg will take place on October 15 at the Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca. The winner of the game on aggregate will qualify for the group stage of the money-spinning CAF Champions League.
The losing side will drop to the last Preliminary Round of the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup.
Rivers United and Plateau United are representing Nigeria in the CAF Champions League while Kwara United plays in the CAF Confederation Cup after the ouster of Remo Stars by ASFAR FC of Morocco.
