News
‘We Lost It in 20 Minutes’ — Olanrewaju Laments Rivers United’s CAF Champions League Exit
Rivers United assistant coach Daniel Olanrewaju has admitted that his side effectively lost their CAF Champions League tie against FC San Pedro in the opening 20 minutes, despite producing a spirited comeback in the second leg in Uyo.
Sports247 reports that Rivers United were held to a 2-2 draw by the Ivorian side in the return leg, but the result was not enough to overturn the scoreline from the first encounter, as San Pedro progressed on aggregate with away goal rules.
Reflecting on the disappointing elimination, Olanrewaju acknowledged that his team expected a difficult contest but identified their early defensive lapses as the decisive moment in the tie.
“It’s a difficult game, we expected it. We lost the game after conceding two goals in the first 20 minutes,” Olanrewaju said.
According to the Rivers United assistant coach, conceding twice so early against a quality continental opponent left his side with an uphill task.
“I think that was where we lost it. In a continental game, it is not easy to bounce back,” he added.
Rivers United showed character in Uyo by fighting back to secure a 2-2 draw, but the comeback came too late to rescue their Champions League campaign.
Olanrewaju stressed that the intensity and tactical demands of continental football are significantly different from the domestic league, making it particularly difficult for a team to recover from an early setback.
“This isn’t NPFL,” he noted.
The coach also paid tribute to San Pedro, describing the Ivorian outfit as one of the strongest sides Rivers United have faced, both tactically and in terms of individual quality.
“This is one of the best sides, tactical and talent-wise. It’s unfortunate, honestly,” he said.
The elimination means Rivers United will now turn their attention to their domestic campaign while reflecting on the lessons from their continental experience.
For Olanrewaju and the Rivers United technical crew, the challenge will be to address the defensive lapses that proved costly against San Pedro and ensure the team can compete more effectively in future CAF competitions.
Despite their elimination, the comeback in Uyo demonstrated the resilience within the squad, but the early damage had already placed the Nigerian representatives in a difficult position.
For Rivers United, the continental campaign ended with disappointment, but the experience against a tactically accomplished San Pedro side could prove valuable as they continue their quest for success on both the domestic and continental fronts.
News
Super Eagles Win Big! Derby County Star David Ozoh Chooses Nigeria Ahead of International Debut
Derby County midfielder David Ozoh has reportedly made a major decision regarding his international future, choosing to represent Nigeria at senior level.
Sports247 reports that the 21-year-old midfielder, who previously represented England at youth international level, has committed his allegiance to the Super Eagles and is now awaiting the completion of the necessary documentation before making himself available for Nigeria.
Ozoh is understood to be waiting for his Nigerian passport and final FIFA clearance, which are required before he can receive an official invitation to the senior national team.
His decision represents a significant boost for the Super Eagles, particularly as head coach Éric Sékou Chelle continues to explore new options and build greater depth in midfield.
Chelle has reportedly been monitoring the Derby County midfielder closely, with Ozoh’s energy, physical strength and ability to cover ground making him an attractive option for the national team’s midfield setup.
The former England youth international has emerged as one of the promising young players eligible to represent Nigeria and could provide additional competition for places in the Super Eagles midfield if his international switch is completed.
There is also growing anticipation that Ozoh could be considered for Nigeria’s upcoming international engagements. If his passport and FIFA clearance are secured in time, the midfielder could be in contention for an invitation for the Super Eagles’ proposed international friendly against Russia on October 6.
A successful switch would make Ozoh another talented dual-national player to commit his international future to Nigeria, strengthening the country’s pool of players ahead of future competitions.
For the Super Eagles, securing a young midfielder with experience in the English football system could prove valuable as the team continues its transition and prepares for a demanding international calendar.
Ozoh will now hope that the remaining administrative procedures are completed without delay, paving the way for his potential first senior call-up to Nigeria.
His decision to choose the Super Eagles could ultimately prove to be an important addition to Nigeria’s midfield options in the years ahead.
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