The two Nigerian clubs involved in Confederation of African Football (CAF) club outings on Sunday; Bayelsa United and Rivers United could only secure results best described as walking tight ropes.
In the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, Bayelsa United secured a slim 1-0 win over highly rated Tunisian side CS Sfaxien at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
In a highly entertaining game watched by dignitaries including Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Sfaxien goalkeeper Mohammed Gaaloul kept his side into the game with a couple of fine saves in the first half.
He could however do nothing to deny United forward Victory Beniangba eleven minutes after the break. Beniangba broke through on goal, paused on motion for two recovering defenders before sending them to the cleaners and lofting the ball over goalkeeper Gaaloul.
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Bayelsa could not add to the tally and should even consider themselves lucky for not conceding as Sfaxien missed a plethora of chances especially from dead ball situations late in the game.
The second leg game comes up in Sfax next weekend.
In nearby Port Harcourt, hosts Rivers United forced Al Hilal of Sudan to a 1-1 draw in their first round Champions League first leg clash at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.
Yasil Mohamed gave Hilal a shock lead in the 37th minute but Rivers United levelled scores in the 78th minute when Mohamed Waheed diverted Rafiu Ishaq’s effort into his own net.
The second leg encounter will hold at the Suez Stadium in Egypt next Sunday.
