NFPL defending Champions – Rivers United kicked off their CAF TotalEnergies Confederation’s Cup group stage with a humiliating 3-0 defeat against Diables Noirs of Congo.
The hosts scored three first half goals to make sure the Stanley Eguma side lost their matchday 1 game at the Alphonse Massamba-Debat Stadium on Sunday evening.
Rivers United never really got the game going in Brazzaville, and by the time the first half was halfway through, they were already three goals down.
The first 30 minutes had been exciting, before the hosts took the lead against the flow of play with Wunda Ngana reacting quickest to slide the ball into the net of their visitors.
Less than three minutes later, the Port Harcourt outfit found themselves further behind as 24-year-old Jaures Ngombe was well placed to finish beyond Seidu Mutawakilu’s diving attempt for a score of 2-0.
The hosts were clearly in control of the game and shortly added a third goal from the penalty spot courtesy of Domi Massoumou.
Following the interval, coach Stanley Eguma made two substitutions, swapping Lawrence Edward for Temple Emekayi and Malachi Ohawume for Chiamaka Madu.
The Wike Boys managed to create opportunities, but were unable to capitalize on them. Their frustrating evening was capped off by Ebube Duru’s missed penalty in the 57th minute.
However, the Pride of Rivers were forced to alter both their strategy and their lineup, and early in the second half, Ukeme Williams earned a penalty kick after being fouled in the area.
Dhody Foutou, the goalkeeper, picked the right direction and thwarted Ebube Duru’s penalty kick before Malachi Ohawume’s goal was correctly disallowed in the 65th minute for offside.
The NPFL team will play its first matchday 2 match at home this weekend when it hosts ASEC Mimosa of the Ivory Coast on Sunday at 4 p.m. in group B of the CAF TotalEnergies Confederation’s Cup.
The CAF Confederation’s Cup group B fixture between the NPFL team and ASEC Mimosa of Ivory Coast will be played on Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Nest of Champions in Uyo.
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