Nigeria’s lone survivor in Caf’s interclub competition, Rivers United have returned to reckoning in the CAF Confederation Cup after recording a 1-0 win over Moroccan club, Faith Union de Sportive (FUS) Rabat on Wednesday.
Emeka Atuloma scored the game’s decisive goal, 18 minutes from the end, turning home Zoumana Doumbia’s free kick with the FUS defence failing to clear their lines, to hand three crucial points to the hosts.
United had the better goalscoring opportunities in a cagey first half but few were of a clear-cut nature.
Emeka Ogbugh was the first to have a sight of the FUS goal but he shot wildly in the 16th minute after goalkeeper, Aymane Majid successfully foiled John Odumegwu’s attacking run on intent.
The ‘Pride of Rivers’ began the second period on the front foot and were almost ahead two minutes after the restart when Ogbugh rose highest in the opposition half to head Obomate Frederick’s corner inches wide.
Substitute, Onoriode Odah, full of running and activity all afternoon, shot wide from a tight angle seconds later after showing FUS’ Elmehdi El Basil a clean pair of heels as United introduced urgency, hitherto missing in a largely-dour first half, into their game.
Atuloma was to decide matters in the 72nd minute as he reacted in lightening fashion to steer home from two yards amidst claims by the visitors that the goal was scored from an offside position.
FUS, previously content with sitting back and containing wave after wave of Rivers United attacks, then altered their tactics dramatically, playing offensive with speed and intelligence, in a bid to hurl themselves back into the contest.
They almost claimed an equalizer in the 86th minute when an uncharacteristic Festus Austine error allowed Abdelssalam Benjelloun have a clear sight of goal.
The Moroccan duly curled a left-footed effort that seemed destined for the bottom corner only for the Rivers United goalkeeper, Sunday Rotimi to produce an extraordinary save to push the ball away for a corner.
It was a huge let off for the Nigerian side as the Stadium held its collective breath.
With spaces opening up as the visitors pushed farther up the pitch, Rivers United almost put the game to bed with a stunning counterattack in the 89th minute but Odah, at the tip of the spear, saw his goal-bound shot pushed away onto the post by Majid and away for a corner.
The win at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt means Rivers United and all other three sides in Group A, FUS Rabat, Club Africain and Kampala CCA are now level on three points after their first three matches.
Match Statistics
Rivers United: Sunday Rotimi, Markson Ojobo, Doumbia Zoumana, Emeka Atuloma, Festus Austine, Ayobami Asekunuwo, Emeka Ogbugh, Guy Keumian (Onoriode Odah 35' (Gabriel Olalekan 90’), Odumegwu John (Bolaji Sakin 73') Ayo Saka and Obomate Frederick
Substitutes not used: Abiodun Akande, Gabriel Wassa, Godbless Asamoah and Christian Weli
FUS Rabat: Aymane Majid, Abdessalam Benjelloum, Mahiri Mohammed, Elmehdi El Basil, Ass Mandawsy, Nayef Aguerd, Ibrahim El Bahri (Karim Benarif 70'), Badri Boulharoud, Ayoub Skouma (Elmehdi Bettache 86’), Mohammed Fouzair and Yousoupha Om Njie (Mehdi Khalis 76')
Substitutes not used: Youness Azziadi, Yassir Jarici, Ibourahima Sidibe and Mohammed Saoud
Yellow card: Ibrahim El Bahri 57'
Goal: Emeka Atuloma (Rivers United, 71')