Rivers United are one step away from the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals after defeating Academica do Lobito 3-2 away from home in Sunday’s penultimate Group C encounter.
Leonardo Isola gave the Angolan side the lead in the 37th minute but Rivers were able to respond in the closing stages of the first half with Udom Ekerette and Alex Oyowah netting in the 40th and 44th minute for a 2-1 lead at the break.
Rivers extended their lead three minutes after the restart thanks to Farouk Mohammed. Though Fernando Camuege pulled one back for Academica, it was a mere consolation as the search for their first group point continued.
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APC Do Lobito 2-3 Rivers United
Mission accomplished ????#CAFCC || #APCLRIV— Rivers United FC (@RiversUnitedFC) February 25, 2024
The result leaves Rivers sitting in third place tied on nine points with Club Africain of Tunisia who were beaten 1-0 by Dreams FC of Ghana in the other group game.
For United to qualify, they must beat Dreams FC, who top the group with 12 points, at least 1-0 at home in their final Group game next Sunday, which will be enough to qualify on the head to head record via away goals after the 2-1 loss in the reverse fixture in Ghana.
It stands like this after #TotalEnergiesCAFCC matchday 5! ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/KHzGKsyCHr
— TotalEnergiesCAFCL & TotalEnergiesCAFCC ???? (@CAFCLCC) February 25, 2024
Anything less than this, will see Stanley Eguma’s men eliminated and will fail to set the club record of reaching the knockout phase in back-to-back seasons for the very first time.
