Rivers United clinched a pivotal 1-0 victory against USM Alger of Algeria in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final showdown at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Sunday.
Augustine Ojejepha emerged as the hero for the home side, breaking the deadlock with a clinical strike in the 10th minute of the first half, courtesy of a well-executed assist from Abubakar Adamu off a corner kick.
Despite several missed opportunities to widen their lead, Rivers United’s physical dominance and eagerness to score remained evident throughout the match. USM Alger struggled to match their opponent’s intensity, though a brief respite brought on by rain after 70 minutes allowed them to regroup and limit the deficit to a single goal by the final whistle.
Looking forward to the second leg in Algiers on April 7th, USM Alger faces a daunting task to overturn the deficit and secure passage to the semi-finals. However, with home advantage on their side, they will be determined to mount a strong comeback. Nevertheless, Rivers United is expected to offer a fierce challenge in Algiers next week based on their strong performance in the first leg.
The outcome of this tie holds high stakes for USM Alger, as qualification to the next round presents an opportunity to continue their title defense and pursue continental glory. The winner of this tie will advance to face the winner of the double confrontation between Abu Salim and RS Berkane in the semi-final stage.
