Confederation Cup: Rivers United Bounce Back After Shaky Start

The Nigerian Professional Football League champions, Rivers United, bounced back from a shaky start to their CAF Confederation Cup campaign on Sunday, a week after they suffered a defeat in their opening group game.

Naija News recalls that on February 12, Rivers United traveled to Alphonse Massamba-Debat Stadium in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, to take on Diables Noirs in the CAF Confederation Cup Group B opener. Unfortunately, the hosts defeated them 3-0.

However, on matchday two of the campaign on Sunday, February 19, Rivers United got back on track at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo by recording a 3-0 victory over ASEC Mimosas of the Ivory Coast.

Malachi Ohawume, Williams Ukeme, and Denis Ndasi scored in the first half to give the Pride of Rivers the needed first victory in the Confederation Cup.

In just one minute of play, Ohawume gave the hosts the lead after connecting to an assist from Nyima Nwagua.

Nwagua once more played the role of the creator with a layup for Ukeme, who riffled home to make it two before halftime. Three minutes after the restart, Ndasi scored the third goal to knock the visitors out of the game.

With three points after two games, Rivers United will travel to meet the Congolese team Motemba Pembe the following Sunday.

As it stands, Rivers United is sitting in the second spot of Group B, a point behind first-placed Diables Noirs, and one point above third-placed Motema Pembe.