Champions League: Rivers United fall 2-1 to RS Berkane in late defeat

Rivers United were left shocked and weeping at the Goodswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday night after RS Berkane scored twice deep into stoppage time to snatch a dramatic 2–1 victory in their CAF Champions League game. The loss became the second within a week for the Nigerian representatives in Group A.

What looked like a first win ever in the top flight ended up in another painful setback, dropping the Nigerians to the bottom of the table after two matches.

Rivers United entered the game after their 3–0 loss to Pyramids FC in Cairo last Saturday.

Rivers made the first breakthrough against the Moroccans in the 37th minute, they made the breakthrough when Zachariah whipped in a cross that deflected off Mamadou Lamine Camara and wrong-footed goalkeeper Munir.

The own goal sent the home crowd into celebration and looked like the spark Rivers needed to revive their continental campaign.

Rivers had opportunities to seal the result after the break, but substitute Taoofeek missed two big chances—one blocked by Munir and another fired straight at the goalkeeper after he intercepted a loose pass.

Those misses proved costly. With seven minutes of additional time signalled, Rivers focused on running down the clock, but their strategy backfired.

In the seventh added minute, the Nigerian flagbearers failed to clear a free-kick delivery, leaving Youness El Kaabi free to slam home the equaliser.

Before Rivers could recover, disaster struck again. Goalkeeper Onisodumeya’s attempted clearance rebounded off a Berkane player, the follow-up effort hit the post, and Mounir Chouiar reacted quickest to slot the rebound into an empty net—completing a sensational turnaround.


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