Connect with us

Sport

CAF: Plateau, Rivers, Kwara United secure important home wins in Champions League

editor

Published

on

RKP

Three Nigerian clubs on the continent Plateau United, Rivers United and Kwara United staged a dramatic comeback victories over their respective opponents on Sunday 9 Ocober 2022, in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.

While Plateau United and Rivers United won 2-1, Kwara United will take a two-goal lead to Morocco for the second leg.

Esperance were punished by Plateau United 2-1 at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

Plateau who came back from Badri’s 27th-minute goal struck back with first-half replies from Ifeanyi Emmanuel and Mustapha Ibrahim

The Peace Boys didn’t take long before restoring parity as Emmanuel connected a header to Daniel Itodo’s long throw in the 35th minute.

Ten minutes later, Daniel Itodo again provided another assist via a long throw for Mustapha Ibrahim, who scored Plateau United’s second off another header.

In Port Harcourt, Rivers United stunned Champions League defending Champions, Wydad Casablanca, in a comeback 2-1 victory.

First-half and second-half goals from Malachi Ohawume and Paul Acquah, were enough to take the win as Bouly Sambou got the consolation for the visitors.

Sambou opened the goal chart for Wydad from a 33rd-minute tap-in. Two minutes later, Rivers United equalised through Ohawume. Rivers United took the lead eight minutes into the second half from Acquah’s finish.

Meanwhile, Kwara United came from a goal down to defeat Confederations Cup defending Champions, RS Berkane, 3-1 in a dramatic encounter at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.

Second-half goals from substitutes Taofeek Ahmed, Wasiu Jimoh, and Barnabas Daniel handed the Afonja Warriors a victory over Berkane who got an early goal from Cheick Ouattara.

It took the visitors just seven minutes to break the silence after Ouattara’s header from a corner beat Adewale Adeyinka.

Chisom Samuel’s chance to draw the home team level from a long-range shot went off target a minute later. Berkane, who settled fastest, almost scored a second goal through Burkinabe defender, Dayo Issoufou, but the shot went wide in the 11th minute.

Two minutes later, another attempt by Jimoh’s shot was saved by Goalkeeper Hamza Hamdani.

Berkane kept frustrating the hosts with a rigid defence as another attempt from Jimoh was parried for a corner kick after he had earlier saved Jide Fatokun’s header in the 26th minute.

Berkane missed a great chance to double their lead through Adama Ba, who received a pass from Ouatarra in the 44th minute

The second half breathed new life into the Afonja Warriors who came back with two goals.

At the start of the second half, Kwara United sent on Ayobami Junior and Taofeek Ahmed for Chisom Samuel and Paul Samson, respectively.

In the 57th minute, the combination of Taofeek and Ayobami produced a chance that smashed against the woodwork.

Taofeek made another attempt in the 68th minute from Jimoh’s pass, but the ball went wide.

Their efforts eventually paid off four minutes later with a Taofeek strike off Issa Gata’s assist.

Kwara United then added two more goals in the 79th and 87th minutes from the duo of Jimoh and Barnabas Daniel.

All the return legs are scheduled for next weekend.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Oshoala Scores as Al Hilal Cruise to 4-0 Away Victory Over NEOM

info

Published

on

IMG 20261106 WA0002.jpg

Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala was on target as Al Hilal produced an impressive 4-0 away victory over NEOM, with fellow Nigerian international Christy Ucheibe also featuring in the convincing performance.

Sports247 reports that Oshoala continued her contribution to Al Hilal’s attacking campaign by finding the back of the net in the 65th minute, helping the visitors strengthen their advantage in a dominant display.

Read Also: Arokodare Shines With Brace and Assist as Ajax Thrash Midtjylland 6-1 in Conference League

The Nigerian forward’s goal came during an impressive second-half performance from Al Hilal, who added three goals after the interval to complete a comprehensive victory.

Moroccan forward Ibtissam Jraidi opened the scoring in the 11th minute, giving Al Hilal an early advantage before the teams went into the break.

Oshoala doubled the visitors’ lead in the 65th minute before Manar Al-Anzi made it 3-0 just four minutes later.

Jraidi then completed her brace in the 88th minute, sealing the emphatic 4-0 result for Al Hilal.

Christy Ucheibe, Oshoala’s Super Falcons teammate, also played a part in the victory as the Nigerian duo continued to make their contributions to the Saudi Arabian club.

The result represents another important outing for Al Hilal, with the team’s attacking quality evident in the performance against NEOM.

For Oshoala, the goal provides another opportunity to demonstrate her goalscoring ability and importance at club level. The six-time African Women’s Player of the Year remains one of Nigeria’s most recognisable football exports, and her performances continue to attract attention.

The presence of both Oshoala and Ucheibe in Al Hilal’s squad also highlights the growing influence of Nigerian players in women’s football outside the country.

With the emphatic away victory secured, Al Hilal will look to build on the performance in their subsequent fixtures.

Continue Reading

News

Nigeria Get Second Chance as CAF Reportedly Considers Flying Eagles for 2027 U-20 AFCON

info

Published

on

IMG 20261105 WA0201.jpg

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles could be handed a lifeline in their quest to qualify for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup following reports that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is considering including the team in the 2027 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

The development follows Ghana’s reported removal as hosts of the continental competition, potentially creating an opening for Nigeria to secure a place in the tournament.

Sports247 reports that CAF has informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to keep the Flying Eagles on standby for a possible invitation to the 2027 U-20 AFCON.

Nigeria initially missed out on automatic qualification after suffering a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in the final of the 2026 WAFU Zone B U-20 Championship.

Burkina Faso secured the region’s automatic qualification ticket, while Ghana were expected to occupy the second available place as hosts of the continental tournament.

However, Ghana’s reported failure to meet CAF’s hosting requirements has thrown the arrangement into uncertainty, with the continental governing body expected to appoint a new host.

The situation could work in Nigeria’s favour, with the Flying Eagles potentially considered for the place initially reserved for Ghana as tournament hosts, having finished runners-up in the WAFU Zone B competition.

Although CAF is yet to make an official announcement confirming Nigeria’s inclusion, the reported development has raised hopes of a second opportunity for the seven-time African champions.

The 2027 U-20 AFCON will carry additional significance as it will also serve as Africa’s qualifying competition for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

According to CAF’s qualification format, the four semi-finalists will represent the continent at the global tournament.

Nigeria’s possible inclusion would therefore provide the Flying Eagles with another opportunity to compete for continental honours and keep their World Cup ambitions alive.

The West African giants have a proud history at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, having finished runners-up on two occasions, in 1989 and 2005.

For now, Nigeria will await CAF’s final decision, with the reported development offering renewed hope after their disappointment in the WAFU Zone B final.

Continue Reading

Trending