RIVERS United have advanced to the CAF Champions League group stage after defeating Mozambique’s Black Bulls 3-2 on aggregate.
The Nigeria Premier Football League’s last season’s runners-up won today’s second preliminary round second leg clash in Uyo 3-1 to overturn the 1-0 deficit from the first leg in Maputo last week.
With the victory, Rivers United have become the first Nigerian club to reach the group phase of the CAF Champions League since 2018, ending a seven-year wait.
Rivers United, coached by Super Eagles legend Finidi George, were quickly in front at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, taking the lead in the 14th minute through Wasiu Falolu.
It was 2-0 three minutes before half-time, with Maclyn Biokpo extending Rivers United’s lead.
If the score stayed like that, Rivers United were through on aggregate, but Black Bulls complicated matters early in the second half.
The visitors pulled one back through Moctar Diallo two minutes into the second half, and they were suddenly ahead on the away goals rule.
Rivers United desperately needed a third goal to get the tie back in their favour, and it arrived 12 minutes from time, Timothy Zachariah providing it.
Nigeria’s other representatives in the CAF Champions League, Remo Stars, need a miracle to reach the group phase as they need to cancel a 5-1 deficit against Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa to go through.