Rivers United kept their continental dreams alive on Sunday with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Aigles du Congo in the second leg of their CAF Champions League clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The victory sealed a 1-0 aggregate win for the Pride of Rivers and ensured their progress to the next stage of the CAF competition, adding another chapter to their growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s strongest representatives in Africa.
Manyo’s header lifts Rivers United past Aigles du Congo
The decisive moment came on the stroke of half-time when Aigles du Congo, who had frustrated Rivers United for long spells, conceded a free kick near their penalty area.
The visitors’ goalkeeper failed to clear the delivery cleanly, allowing the ball to drop perfectly for Super Eagles defender Stephen Manyo, who reacted with composure to power a header into the net.
That goal proved decisive. Finidi George’s side tightened their defensive shape after the break, limiting the Congolese champions to few chances and seeing out the tense encounter to book their spot in the next round.
The former Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions will now prepare for the next round, where their continental experience and resilience could be decisive.
Before then, they will return to domestic duty against Niger Tornadoes in midweek.
Kwara United suffer CAF Confederation Cup exit
While Rivers United celebrated progress, Kwara United’s CAF Confederation Cup run came to an end after a 1-0 home defeat to Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta.
The Harmony Boys entered the match needing to overturn a 4-3 deficit from the first leg in Accra but fell short.
Kotoko’s experienced forward Hubert Gyau struck in the 54th minute, punishing the hosts’ defensive lapse and effectively ending their hopes of a comeback.
Despite battling hard in front of their fans, Kwara United failed to break down Kotoko’s organised defence and bowed out of the tournament with a 5-3 aggregate defeat.
It’s the end of the road for the Ilorin Boys in continental competition, as they now turn their attention back to the NPFL and a tough fixture against Kano Pillars.
Abia Warriors endured a similar disappointment, bowing out of the CAF Confederation Cup following a narrow loss to Djoliba in what was their first-ever appearance on the continental stage.
The Umuahia-based club went into the return leg in Bamako with everything to do, needing at least one goal to stay in the contest after being held to a 1-1 draw by the Malian side in Uyo.
Their hopes, however, were dashed as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at the Complex Sportif Heremakono, exiting the competition 2-1 on aggregate.
The outcome means no Nigerian club will feature in the Confederation Cup group stage this season—a major setback that further weakens the nation’s standing in CAF’s club rankings.
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