Kwara United became the second Nigerian club to be eliminated from a continental competition today as they lost out in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The Ilorin-based side were eliminated on the away goals rule by holders RS Berkane tonight.
The Moroccans won 2-0 at home to cancel out Kwara United’s 3-1 victory at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos last weekend.
Cheick Ouattara and El Bahri netted the goals that saw to Kwara United’s ouster on the away goals rule after the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.
Ouattara got RS Berkane’s first goal in the 17th minute but Kwara United held the hosts off until half-time, preventing more goals.
It didn’t take long to break the Nigerians’ resistance again after the interval though, as El Bahri struck nine minutes into the second half following a goalkeeping blunder by Adewale Adeyinka.
Just three hours earlier, Plateau United suffered similar fate to Kwara United’s, losing out on the away goals rule to Esperance in the CAF Champions League.
The Tunisian giants won 1-0 in Tunis on the day and advanced to the group stages 2-2 on aggregate, as the first leg at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja last week ended 2-1 in the Nigerian club’s favour.
Plateau United’s elimination was controversial though, as the penalty awarded to Esperance and converted in the 83rd minute would most likely have been overturned if there was Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Replays showed the foul was committed outside the box.
Nigeria’s only hope of success left in the CAF Champions League this season is with Rivers United, who face holders Wydad Athletic Club in Casablanca, Morocco tomorrow.
The Nigerian Professional Football League champions won the first leg 2-1 in Port Harcourt and face a herculean task to avoid defeat and make it to the group stages.
