Rivers United v. Al-Nasr |
Rivers United, the defending CAF Confederation Cup champions from Nigeria, drew 1-1 with Al Nasr in the second leg of the competition's last playoff round on Wednesday night to advance to the group stage.
After a strong performance at the Martyrs of Beninah international Stadium in Benghazi, Libya, Rivers United prevailed in the second leg of the match after winning the first leg 5-0 in Port Harcourt the previous week.
Al Nasr scored the game's first goal in the 39th minute to give the hosts a 1-0 lead at the break. However, Rivers United drew even in the second half and the game concluded without further goals, propelling the Nigerian team to the main competition on a 6-1 aggregate.
Rivers United would be the only Nigerian representative on the continent when the main tournament begins next year.
Plateau United that would have been second Nigerian representative in the continent this season have crashed out following a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of another Libyan side Al Akhdar today.
The Nigerian side thrashed Al Akhdar 4-1 in the first leg of the final playoff fixture of the CAF Confederation Cup in Abuja last week also, but were unable to defend their three goals lead in Libya this evening.
Three second half goals by Anas Al Werfalli, Mohammed Al Kista and Mostafa Hamza were enough to send Al Akhdar to the group stage of the competition thanks to away-goal rule.