CAF CC: Rivers United reach quarter-finals despite draw against Diables Noirs

Rivers United have booked a place in the quarter-finals of the 2022/23 CAF Confederation Cup. 

The Pride of Rivers held on for a vital one point in a 2-2 draw against DR Congo’s Diables Noirs at the Godswill Akpabio stadium, Uyo, to qualify for the next round.

With three consecutive victories, United entered the game knowing that a draw would be sufficient to ensure progression into the knockout phase of the competition but the Stanley Eguma-led boys found themselves trailing just before the half-hour mark.

🇳🇬 @RiversUnitedFC ➡️ #TotalEnergiesCAFCC quarter-finals!

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The Nigerian side bag a qualification ticket! pic.twitter.com/kjtH9CFDRV

— TotalEnergiesCAFCL & TotalEnergiesCAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) March 19, 2023

Emmanuel Ampiah bundled the ball into his team’s net in the 27th minute.

The Nigerian side wrestled control of the game from the away team thereon but their effort failed to yield an equaliser until deep into the second half.

In the 73rd minute, Nyima Nwagua was at the right place at the right time to tap in the ball and draw United level in the game.

The former Kano Pillars striker added his second of the match and put United ahead four minutes later.

Diables Noirs dragged themselves into the game late in the game with Deo Gracias Basinga’s strike in the 81st minute.

The draw propelled United to 10 points at the top of Group B over ASEC Mimosa in second with eight points.

The Nigerian team takes on ASEC in their final game of the group in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.