CAFCC: Rivers United out; Enyimba on course

Rivers United FC on Sunday bowed out of the 2021/2022 CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC) after a 0-1 loss to Al Masry of Egypt but Enyimba FC are on course to progress to the group stage after a first leg win over Al Ittihad of Libya.

Rivers United faced a dicey task after managing only a 2-1 win in the first leg in Aba last Sunday and the Egyptians needed barely fifteen minutes to erase the deficit at the Borg El Arab Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt.

With just 14 minutes on the clock, Al Masry got the all important goal courtesy of Grema Moh’d who rifled home a rebound after United goalkeeper Victor Sochima had denied Nigerian striker Austine Amutu.

There were no further goals in the remaining 75 minutes of the game although Al Masry had a goal chalked off for offside in the second half. The result means that Rivers United crash out on away goals rule and at the Playoff stage for the second successive year.

In Aba, Enyimba FC defeated Libyan league champions Al Ittihad 2-0 to take charge of their playoff round tie.

The People’s Elephant went in front in the 21st minute courtesy of Sadiq Abubakar who headed home Yakubu Bilal’s brilliant cross.

Enyimba, coached by Finidi George made it 2-0 in the 34th minute through Victor Mbaoma who curled home after Daniel Ijeh had put him through.

Enyimba then missed a number of good opportunities to add to the tally in the second half but they must now work out their own salvation by themselves when the second leg takes place at a later date and venue to be communicated.