Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup, Rivers United and Plateau United, secured comfortable victories in the first legs of their play-off ties against Libyan clubs today.
Nigeria Professional Football League champions Rivers United defeated Al Nasr 5-0 in Port Harcourt, while Plateau United beat Al Akhdar 4-1 in Abuja.
Both Nigerian clubs are seeking spots in the CAF Confederation Cup group phase after being knocked out of the CAF Champions League.
At the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers United got off to a quick start, taking a 3-0 lead into half-time.
Ebube Duru started the goal rush in the 12th minute from the penalty spot after Paul Acquah was brought down in the Al Nasr box.
Kazie Enyinnaya doubled Rivers United’s advantage just three minutes later and Acquah made it 3-0 just before the interval as the Nigerian champions cruised.
It took 19 minutes into the second half for Rivers United to get their next goal, when Duru converted another penalty, and Malachi Ohawume all but made sure of the Port Harcourt side’s progress with the fifth goal in the 72nd minute.
It was a dominant display from Rivers United, who were dumped out of the Champions League 7-2 on aggregate by defending champions Wydad Athletic of Morocco, and they could have scored even more against the hapless Libyans.
At the Moshood Abiola Stadium, where Plateau United are playing their continental games because the stadium in Jos is not ready, the NPFL runners-up left it late to make their win against Al Akhdar comfortable.
The Jos side took the lead in the 27th minute through Mustapha Yuga’s header, and Ifeanyi Emmanuel made it 2-0 five minutes before the break.
The Libyans contained the Nigerians for 30 minutes in the second half before Albert Hilary volleyed home the third goal.
Al Akhdar made Plateau United nervous when they pulled one back in the 85th minute, but Hilary struck again in added time to restore the three-goal advantage.
The second legs will be played in Libya next week, with the winners on aggregate proceeding to the group stages.
