Femi Solaja
Nigeria’s surviving team in this season’s CAF Confederation Cup, Rivers United, claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Algerian giants USM Algers in the quarter-final first-leg match yesterday.
The former NPFL champion had welcomed Algeria’s USM Algers to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo and needed a win to make the return leg a bit comfortable but could only nick in one goal.
Rivers United dominated the game from the blast of the whistle, and they got into the lead after just ten minutes after a brilliant move.
The Port Harcourt -based side had a corner, and instead of sending a cross into the area, Sadiq Adamu passed to Augustine Okejepha, who was lurking outside the box. The forward took no prisoners, as he struck the ball with venom to send it into the right corner of USM Algers’ goal.
After scoring, Rivers United did not rest on their oars, as they kept pushing for more goals. However, they just lacked the cutting edge.
They registered 30 goal attempts, but because of their profligacy, they had to settle for the slim win.
Rivers United will travel to Algiers next Sunday for the second leg, and it promises to be a stern test for them with the Algerians having history of always consolidating at home.
