CAFCC: Rivers United batter ASEC Mimosas in Uyo

Nigerian league champions, Rivers United handed Cote d’Ivoire side, ASEC Mimosas a battering in their second group stage game of this season’s CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC) on Sunday, running out 3-0 winners.

Both teams failed to win their opening group games last weekend; United going down 3-0 at Diables Noirs in Congo while ASEC Mimosas were held 0-0 by Motema Pembe in Abidjan.

Rivers United however got off to a best possible start in the game decided at the Nest of Champions, Uyo when striker Malachi Ohawume slid home Nyima Nwagua’s pass inside the opening minute of the game, his effort going in off the inside of the bottom left.

The visitors then showed some marked improvement compared to the performance that saw them held at home in their last game but they frittered away a couple of good chances while Rivers United also had half chances on the break.

The hosts however doubled their advantage three minutes before the break through in-form midfielder Williams Ukeme who lashed into the bottom left from 20 yards after Nyima Nwagua teed him up.

ASEC’s hopes of mounting a spirited comeback into the games was dashed early in the second half when Cameroonian defender Denis Ngweni Ndiasi headed home Ebube Duru’s corner kick.

Rivers United goalkeeper Sochima Victor also came to his team’s rescue a number of times in the second half to preserve his clean sheet in his first appearance for the club in 2023.

Stanley Eguma’s side are now second on the Group B log with three points from two games, one point behind Diables Noirs who held DC Motema Pembe to a 0-0 draw in Luanda on Sunday.

Rivers United will next face Motema Pembe in Kinshasa next Sunday but before then, they have a date with Bayelsa United in a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Group B clash on Wednesday.