Nigeria’s representative in the CAF Champions League, Rivers United, slumped to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Black Bulls of Mozambique in the first leg of their second round preliminary round clash on Saturday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The former Nigerian champions had more of the ball possession in the opening half of the contest, but five minutes into the second half, the hosts took to lead, and that was enough to help them secure an advantage in the game decided at the Lalgy Arena in Matola, Maputo, Mozambique.
Finidi George’s side came into the fixture on the back of a defeat to Bayelsa United on Monday in the Nigeria Premier Football League. Despite dominating the game in the opening exchanges, they could not get the goals. Maclyn Biokpo was flagged offside after some good work from Friday Ubong, before the latter fired over the bar in what was the visitors’ best chance in the first-half.
After the break, Rivers United left spaces behind, and just five minutes in, the home side took the lead after some questionable defending. From that moment on, the Mozambican champions started to see chances. Rivers United goalie Osagie Onisodumeya made a brilliant stop to deny the host from doubling their advantage moments later.
At the other end, Rivers United struggled to get into decent positions. Anthony Omaka saw his effort blocked in the area before Boluwaji Sholumade headed an attempt off target in the final embers of the encounter. However, the hosts held on to secure a slim 1-0 lead ahead of the second leg in Nigeria.
Rivers United will need to overturn the result if they want to reach the money-spinning group stages of the CAF Champions League. Next Sunday’s return leg will be decided at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
