Nigeria’s surviving representative in CAF competitions Rivers United on Sunday opened their group stage account with a thumping 3-0 win over Angolan side Academica Petroleos Clube (APC) do Lobito in Uyo, www.aclsports.com reports.
Ghanaian left sided midfielder Samuel Antwi, left back Paul Odeh Inalegwu and left footed central midfielder Shedrack Asiegbu scored the goals for the Pride of Rivers who moved to the summit of Group C after the first round of matches.
Playing at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium Uyo for a second consecutive CAF Confederation Cup group stage campaign, United got the best possible start after two minutes when Antwi finished Alex Oyowah’s pass from four yards.
While the Angolans tried to restore parity, they were caught napping at the other end but United captain Nyima Nwagua could not finish all his hard work after a 70 meters solo run as he shot over from close range.
The Angolans did create a couple of half chances of their own but could not find the composure to punish their hosts’ seeming complacency after the early lead.
Like first half, like second half
If the visitors thought they could make an in-road in the second half after the seeming disinterest by their hosts, they thought wrongly as Stanley Eguma’s Rivers United doubled their lead just seconds into the second half.
Odeh Inalegwu, starting on the continent for the first time hammered home on the half volley from 30 yards to throw some daggers into the aspiration of APC do Lobito. It was the perfect start the hosts could wish for into the second half and there could only be one result from then on.
As the game reached the hour mark, arguably Rivers United’s best player of the season so far Alex Oyowah created some magic down the left and teed up Asiegbu who made it a hattrick of left footed finishes for Rivers United on the night, his effort squeezing and bouncing into the bottom right from 16 yards.
Rivers United lead the group with a superior goals difference ahead of Tunisian side Club Africain who had Nigerian striker Kingsley Eduwo on target after he made sure from a rebound in their 2-0 win over Ghana’s Dreams FC earlier on Sunday at the Rades Stadium in Tunis.
Rivers United will travel to Ghana to face Dreams FC next Sunday at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi while APC do Lobito will host Club Africain of Tunisia.
