CAF Confederation Cup: Diables Noirs gave us a good fight, says Stanley Eguma

By Saheed Afolabi

Rivers United technical adviser, Stanley Eguma has admitted that Diables Noirs gave his team a good fight after they played 2-2 draw in a CAF Confederation Cup group stage encounter in Uyo on Saturday.

The Yaka dia Mama shocked Rivers United with a last grasp equalizer to share the spoils and the Pride of Rivers tactician the Congolese desire to win made the match difficult for his side.

“It was a good game, a very difficult game I must say, the opponent came fight and they fought to equalize,” Eguma told media.

“This game meant a lot for them because it’s the last hope for they have to qualify and they needed the three points at stake and we also need the three points for us to consolidate.

“It was a very dicey one, when they scored the first goal, I knew that we were in for a real battle. So second half, we came back, corrected our mistakes.

“I congratulated my players and they encouraged me, coming from behind to get two quick goals and then they went ahead, I think it was a keenly contested game and I believe we have seen the real test of them.”

After conceding nine minutes into the match and nine minutes from time, Eguma admitted that their defensive howler handed the Congolese side a valuable away point.

“I believe Diables Noirs is a very tough team, when they equalized, I wasn’t surprised because I know there was a loophole in my defense, poor defending cost us the three points,” he continued.

“I want to admit it was a good game, I will learn from my mistakes and go further in the competition.”

Rivers United are through to the quarter final of the CAF Confederations Cup with a game to spear and are leaders in the CAFCC group B with ten points from five matches.

The draw marks the end of the road for Diables Noirs in the CAF Confederations Cup, with just five points from five matches.  Rivers United will switch focus back to the Nigeria Premier Football League as they host Enugu Rangers on Wednesday 22nd of March a the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.