Rivers United face uphill battle after narrow defeat to Black Bulls

Rivers United’s quest to reach the CAF Champions League group stage hit a stumbling block on Saturday following a 1-0 loss to Mozambican champions Black Bulls in their second preliminary round first leg in Matola, Sport360NG reports.

Senegalese forward Moctar Diallo’s strike five minutes after the restart proved decisive at the Lalgy Arena, handing the hosts a slender advantage ahead of the return leg in Uyo next weekend.

The Pride of Rivers had travelled to Mozambique determined to respond after suffering their first Nigeria Premier Football League defeat of the season against Bayelsa United earlier in the week. Head coach Finidi George rang the changes, bringing in Ogechukwu Ogbu, Okon Aniekeme, Boluwaji Sholumade and Taofeek Otaniyi to freshen up his starting line-up.

Despite showing early intent, Rivers struggled to impose themselves on the artificial surface and under humid conditions. The opening half was tightly contested, with few chances at either end. The visitors thought they had gone in front when Maclyn Biokpo’s close-range finish was ruled out for offside after neat work from skipper Friday Ubong, who later blazed over from a promising position.

At the other end, goalkeeper Osagie Onisodumeya produced several crucial interventions to keep the scores level heading into the break.

However, the Nigerians were punished for a defensive lapse shortly after the restart. A loose ball fell kindly for Diallo, who lifted his effort beyond the advancing Onisodumeya to put the Bulls ahead.

Buoyed by the goal, the Mozambicans pushed for more, forcing Onisodumeya into another fine save to deny a second. Finidi attempted to turn the tide with a triple substitution on 64 minutes, introducing Timothy Zachariah, Wasiu Falolu and Seyi Oguntayo for Anthony Omaka, Biokpo and Otaniyi. Later, Temple Emekayi and Chinedu Sunday were sent on as the visitors chased an equaliser.

Despite the late flurry of changes, Rivers United struggled to carve out clear chances. Omaka had an earlier effort blocked, while Sholumade’s late header drifted narrowly over the bar. Goalkeeper Ernan Siluane stood firm for the hosts, ensuring the Nigerians left empty-handed.

Rivers must now overturn the one-goal deficit when both sides meet again next Sunday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. A win by at least two clear goals will be enough to secure passage to the lucrative group stage.

In other CAF Champions League fixtures, Al Ahly of Egypt edged Burundi’s Aigle Noir 1-0 away, while Tanzania’s Young Africans suffered a 1-0 defeat to Malawi’s Silver Strikers in Lilongwe. The clash between Ethiopian Insurance and Pyramids FC was postponed due to the Egyptian side’s participation in the CAF Super Cup against RS Berkane.