Nigeria’s Rivers United can have all of it to do in Uyo subsequent weekend after falling 1–0 to Mozambique’s Black Bulls within the first leg of their CAF Champions League second-round tie in Maputo on Saturday.
A second-half strike from Moctar Diallo made the distinction for the formidable Mozambican champions, who took full benefit of residence help on the Estádio Nacional do Zimpeto.
The purpose got here 5 minutes after the break when Diallo reacted quickest to a unfastened ball within the field, slotting past Rivers United goalkeeper Victor Sochima to ship the gang into wild celebrations.
Regardless of the setback, Rivers United gave a disciplined and organised efficiency for lengthy stretches of the match.
They weathered an intense early press from the hosts—recognized for his or her high-octane, front-foot method—and confirmed composure in possession.
Nevertheless, their incapacity to transform half-chances proved expensive as Black Bulls maintained their good residence file within the competitors.
Rivers United head coach Finidi had urged his gamers earlier than the sport to “keep calm underneath strain and play via the traces.”
His tactical setup was designed to neutralise Black Bulls’ aggressive press by stretching the sector and forcing play into extensive areas.
However whereas Rivers often broke via with diagonal switches and intelligent transitions, they failed to search out the crowning glory that might have modified the tie’s complexion.
Saturday’s defeat means Rivers United should now overturn the one-goal deficit when each side meet within the decisive return leg on the Godswill Akpabio Worldwide Stadium, Uyo, subsequent Sunday.
A victory by two clear objectives would ship the Nigerian facet into the profitable group stage of Africa’s premier membership competitors — a stage they reached within the CAF Confederation Cup final season.
For Black Bulls, the end result underscores their regular rise in Southern African soccer.
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The Maputo-based facet, based in 2017, have constructed a fame for fast-paced, attacking soccer underneath coach Fernando “Information” Chamboco.
Their urgent depth and coordinated front-line motion as soon as once more stood out within the victory, mirroring the tactical blueprint that has outlined their home dominance lately.
The second leg guarantees a tense, high-stakes encounter.
In the meantime, Nigeria’s different CAF Champions League consultant, Remo Stars, are set to face South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday on the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, in what is anticipated to be one other stern take a look at of Nigerian membership soccer’s continental credentials.
