Rivers United, a Nigerian football club, embarked on their CAF Champions League campaign with a hard-fought goalless draw against Les Aigles du Congo in Kinshasa. The match, held at the Stade des Martyrs, marked Rivers United’s return to Africa’s premier club competition. Despite facing pre-match disruptions that hindered their training preparations, the Pride of Rivers showcased resilience and discipline to secure a valuable away result against the Congolese debutants.
The first half witnessed Les Aigles du Congo dominating possession and applying relentless pressure on the Rivers United defense. However, the Nigerian side, expertly marshaled by defenders Temple Emekayi and Stephen Manyo, remained resolute, thwarting every attacking foray. Rivers United relied on a compact defensive shape, seeking to exploit counter-attacking opportunities and set-pieces.
The second half mirrored the first, with Les Aigles du Congo continuing their offensive push, albeit without creating clear-cut chances. Rivers United goalkeeper Osagie Onisodumeya, celebrating his birthday, enjoyed a relatively untroubled afternoon. The Nigerian side almost snatched a late victory when Wisdom Samuel’s strike in stoppage time narrowly missed the target.
The goalless draw leaves the tie finely balanced ahead of the return leg in Uyo next weekend. Rivers United, crowned NPFL champions in 2022, will host the decisive encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, located 124km from their home base in Port Harcourt. While not playing in their usual stadium, the team anticipates significant home support to boost their chances of progressing.
A victory for Rivers United would secure a second-round clash against either AC Léopards of Congo or Mozambique’s Black Bulls. Both potential opponents represent challenging yet less daunting prospects compared to some of the continental giants, such as Mamelodi Sundowns, who await Remo Stars should they overcome US Zilimadjou.
Returning to Nigeria with a crucial away draw, Rivers United holds a slight advantage. The clean sheet provides a solid foundation for the second leg, where a victory would propel them further in the prestigious CAF Champions League. The team’s resilience and defensive solidity in Kinshasa offer encouragement for their upcoming home fixture, where they aim to capitalize on the advantage and secure their place in the next round. The goalless draw serves as a testament to their disciplined performance and sets the stage for an exciting return leg in Uyo.
