By Victor Kanayo
One of Nigeria’s representatives at the CAF Confederation Cup, Rivers United on Wednesday night secured a place in the group stage of this year’s competition.
This was made possible after the Nigerian league champions eliminated their North African opponent Al Nasr on 6-1 aggregate score.
Both sides in Libya settled for 1-1 draw in the second leg amidst high octane intimidating tactics by the home side since their visitors arrived two days ago.
The first leg encounter in Portharcourt Rivers state capital in Nigeria saw United lash Al Nasr 5-0.
Earlier on Wednesday November 9, 2022, Plateau United failed to reach the money-spinning group stage of the continental competition after they lost 3-0 to Al Akhdar of Libya to go out on away goal rule.
Plateau United won the first leg in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital 4-1 a week ago and the odd goal they let in at home proved to be decisive in sending them out with the return fixture ending 3-0 in favour of the homers.
The Jos club failed to defend the advantage from the first game in the return leg in Libya after the Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu side crumbled like pack of cards in the second half.
It was scoreless in the first half, before a late rally got the home team to go past the NPFL runners-up for last season.
Plateau United strikers also spurned several chances to score in Libya to compound their predicament.
Both United sides stepped down to CAF Confederation Cup after they failed to progress in the CAF Champions League few weeks ago.
For the past four consecutive seasons, no Nigerian club has reached the group stage of Champions League.
