Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup all secured first-leg wins today in their bids to reach the group stages of the continental competitions.
Rivers United and Plateau United defeated Wydad Casablanca and Esperance respectively in the Champions League, while Kwara United beat RS Berkane in the Confederation Cup.
Two of the opponents of the Nigerian clubs are the current holders of the Champions League (Wydad) and Confederation Cup (RS Berkane), while the third, Esperance, are former African champions.
Nigeria Professional Football League champions Rivers United defeated Wydad 2-1 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, coming from behind through goals from Malachi Ohawume in the 34th minute and Paul Acquah eight minutes into the second half.
At the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, and with new Nigeria Football Federation president Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau in attendance, Plateau United also recovered from a goal down to beat Tunisian giants Esperance 2-1.
Kwara United remarkably also needed to overcome a deficit to beat Morocco’s RS Berkane 3-1 at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex in Lagos.
The Ilorin-based side fell behind to a seventh minute goal but stormed into a decent first-leg win via three goals in the final 17 minutes.
Ahmed Taofeek began the comeback in the 73rd minute, before Wasiu Jimoh gave Kwara United the lead eight minutes later.
Barnabas Daniel enhanced the Nigerian side’s chances of progress with the third goal two minutes from time.
The second legs of all the ties are scheduled for next week, with the winners on aggregate advancing to the group stages.
