Atulomah Emeka and Guy Kuemian scored for Rivers United FC (Nigeria) in their 2nd 1/16th round first leg clash against Rwanda’s only continental survivor Rayon Sports on Sunday in Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Nigeria.
Both teams started the match at a frenetic pace, attacking each other, Emeka later wasted no chance when he got an enterprising opportunity to volley in Ifeanyi Nweke’s cross.
In the 51st minute, Ivorian prof. Guy Kuemian scored what proved to be the winning goal as he netted a from 25 yards to seal the win for Rivers United.
Rayon defenders thought Kuemian was off side only to see the match referee pointing to the center circle.
Just minutes into the second half, Rayon’s Pierrot Kwizera missed a chance to equalize when he yarded the ball over the bar.
Rayon’s Coach Djuma Masudi tried a tactical moved by bringing n Djebel Manishimwe for Eric Irabona on the 63rd minute while Kone Camara substituted Sefu Niyonzima but the move yielded nothing.
His counterpart, Stanley Eguma brought on Esosa Igbinoba for Godbless then Nzube Anaezemba came in for the place of Weli Christian. In the 75th minute of the game, Rivers player Markson Ojobo came on for Zoumana Doumbia.
Rayon’s Gabriel Mugabo and Rivers Markson Ojobo received yellow cards.
The guests had some good chances to score a consolation but failed to convert them before the match referee blew the final whistle.
The defeat means Rwandan table leaders Rayon have to score more than two goals and avoid conceding any in the second leg on Saturday, 22 April at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, if they are to progress to the next round.
Fixtures
Saturday,
15 April 2017Mbabane
Swallows (Swaziland) 4 – 2 Leopards de DolisieRecreativo do Libolo (Angola) 0 – 0 CNaPS Sport (Madagascar) Club
Africain (Tunisia) 4 – 2 AS Port-Louis 2000 (Mauritius) Maghreb
Fez 1 – 1 FUS Rabat (Morocco) ZESCO
United ( Zambia) 3 – 0 Enugu Rangers (Nigeria)Smouha
SC (Egypt) 1 – 0 Bidvest Wits (South Africa)Al
Masry Club (Egypt) 1 – 0 Kampala KCCAMC
Alger (Liberia) 4 – 0 Young Africans (Tanzania) Ittihad
Tanger (Morocco) 0 – 2 Horoya (Guinea)Sunday,
16 April 2017Platinum
Stars (South Africa) 2 – 0 AS Tanda (Côte d’Ivoire)Rivers
United FC (Morocco) 2 – 0 Rayon Sports (First Leg)
