Nigeria’s remaining representatives in this year’s CAF Confederation Cup, Rivers United will have to take a slender advantage to Algeria after a 1-0 first leg win over USM Alger in Uyo on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Midfielder Augustine Okejepha scored what turned out to be the game’s only goal in the 10th minute after rifling home a short corner by Sadiq Abubakar from 25 yards as the hosts made a best possible start to the game.
Winger Sadiq Abubakar Adamu headed against the post and to safety after a well worked team move which ended in Deputy Echeta’s measured cross midway through the first half.
This first leg quarter final match decided at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo was played at 2pm local time and it was easy to see why the Algerian side struggled with the intensity in humid conditions with the game at the middle of the annual Ramadan.
United should indeed have scored at least more than a goal in the game but were either profligate or incoherent in the final third with winger Deputy Echeta missing glaring opportunities in either half including after he was put through by a superb pass by the irrepressible Ukeme Williams.
Both teams will face off in the return leg at the July 5 Stadium, Algiers next Sunday with kickoff set at 10pm local time, a time expected to intimidate the Nigerians in weather, crowd participation and atmosphere.
USM Alger head coach Juan Carlos Garrido believes the kickoff time of the second leg will help his team to fare better.
“At least, we will eat before the game and drink water before the game,” Garrido told www.aclsports.com after Sunday’s game.
Rivers United head coach Stanley Eguma says his side will give everything for the second leg game in Algiers in spite of their opponents’ quality.
