TotalCAFCC: Kano Pillars, Rivers United beaten away

Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) sides Kano Pillars and Rivers United were beaten by unfancied sides in Senegal and Equatorial Guinea respectively in their preliminary round first leg matches of the 2020/2021 Total CAF Confederation Cup on Saturday. 

Pillars, having flown to Dakar, Senegal with a 94-man delegation on Friday morning were perhaps made heavy by their excess luggage on the pitch conceding a 1-3 loss to ASC Diaraf despite scoring the first goal of the game.

Forward David Ebuka Odenigbo gave Pillars the lead at the Stade Demba Diop when he headed home Ewenike Achibi’s cross in the 13th minute but the hosts equalised five minutes later through Bassene Zaky’s finish.

Diaraf went in front seven minutes before the break courtesy of Samba Diallo’s effort and despite huge resistance by the Nigerians in the second half, Matar Ndiaye gave Diaraf a healthier advantage with a smart finish nine minutes from time.

The second leg comes up at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna next Saturday.

In the other Confederation Cup game involving a Nigerian team on Saturday, Rivers United went down 1-2 to minnows Futuro Kings de Mongomo of Equatorial Guinea.

After a goalless first half which United dominated, the hosts stunned their visitors seconds after the restart when Gregoire Nkama headed home a right wing cross. Futuro Kings extended their lead after a cross by Maye Ngoma was diverted home by a flailing leg.

Stanley Eguma-led Rivers United however got a lifeline fourteen minutes from time when they were awarded a spot kick which was well converted by midfielder Godwin Aguda.

Both teams will face at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt in the return leg next weekend.