Rivers United will need to produce a strong comeback performance following a 1-0 defeat to Mozambique’s Black Bulls in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie.
The encounter in Maputo was closely contested, with both sides creating clear opportunities in the first half but failing to convert. The deadlock was eventually broken five minutes into the second half when Moctar Diallo scored the decisive goal for the hosts.
Rivers United now return home to Uyo for the second leg, which will be played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium next Sunday. The overall winner of this two-legged tie will earn a place in the group stage of Africa’s premier club competition.
Coach Finidi George will be looking for a response from his team as they aim to overturn the narrow deficit in front of their home supporters.
In other CAF Champions League news, Nigeria’s other representative, Remo Stars, will face South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns at the Moshood Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta on Sunday.
Injury Crisis Hits Wikki Tourists
Meanwhile, back in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Wikki Tourists have been hit by a significant injury crisis ahead of their away fixture against El-Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri.
The Bauchi-based side will be without five key players for the clash: Ahmed Lamido, Sadeeq Abdullahi, Nickson Ironsi, Muhammed Aliyu, and Uche Onwuansanya. Lamido and Onwuansanya are sidelined due to illness, while Abdullahi, Ironsi, and Aliyu are all nursing various injuries.
This situation presents a major challenge for coach Abdullah Maikaba, whose team is currently winless in their last five league outings. Wikki Tourists will be desperate to end that poor run when they take on El-Kanemi Warriors on Sunday, hoping their available players can step up despite the setbacks.
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