Rivers United crash out of CAF champions league

Rivers United FC of Nigeria have crashed out of the 2026 CAF Champions League after a 2-2 draw with FC San Pedro of Cote d’Ivoire.

The second-leg preliminary-round encounter was played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Sunday.

FC San Pedro advanced on away-goals advantage after the aggregate score stood at 3-3 following a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

The Ivorian side stunned Rivers United with two goals within four minutes early in the encounter.

Adewimi Alabi, wearing jersey number 35, opened scoring in the 14th minute before captain Issouf Doso doubled the advantage.

Rivers United reduced the deficit shortly before half-time after Chijoke Mbaoma converted a 42nd-minute penalty.

The penalty was awarded after Mbaoma was fouled inside the visitors’ 18-yard box, leaving FC San Pedro ahead 2-1 at half-time.

Both coaches introduced substitutes after the interval as Rivers United intensified their search for an equaliser.

The Nigerian side received another penalty in the 86th minute after an FC San Pedro defender handled the ball inside the box.

Iyowuna Douglas, wearing jersey number eight, converted the spot-kick in the 87th minute to level the match.

Rivers United pressed for a winning goal during the closing stages but FC San Pedro held firm to secure qualification.

FC San Pedro coach, Hassan Bellil, praised his players for adhering to their game plan and protecting the advantage required to progress.

The Tunisian-born tactician, speaking through an interpreter, said he had made observations from the encounter but declined to disclose them.

Rivers United assistant coach, Yemi Olanrewaju, blamed the early collapse on missed opportunities and a lack of composure during the opening 20 minutes.

“I think it was a difficult game. Some of our players were jittery and you know this is CAF Champions League,” he said.

Olanrewaju said the team could not afford such mistakes in continental football, unlike the Nigeria Premier Football League, where recovery could be easier.

“That’s our worst outing recently. We didn’t even play this bad in Cote d’Ivoire. When you concede early against one of the best teams in the competition, it’s difficult to recover,” Olanrewaju added.

He described the early setback as unfortunate, saying Rivers United effectively “lost everything in the first 20 minutes.”

On the substitution of Abdurrasheed Dabai, wearing jersey number seven, Olanrewaju said it reflected the team’s tactical plan.

“Fans will always be fans. In all honesty, we train these guys and know them better,” he said.

He explained that the team planned to use long balls, but Dabai’s physical profile did not suit that approach.

“As you could see, our second penalty came from long balls,” Olanrewaju said.

The assistant coach also lamented the shortage of quality strikers in the NPFL, linking the problem to players’ desire for better financial opportunities abroad.

He argued that improved remuneration for Nigerian-based players could help retain quality attackers and reduce the rush to seek overseas contracts.

Olanrewaju said some players abroad earned $5,000 or more, making such opportunities difficult for Nigerian clubs to compete with.

FC San Pedro secured a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro, Cote d’Ivoire.

The result meant the two sides finished level on aggregate, with FC San Pedro progressing under the away-goals rule. (NAN)