Nigeria’s Rivers United have qualified for the quarter-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup with a game to spare, after a thrilling 2-2 with Diables Noirs inside the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Sunday.
Rivers United needed to avoid defeat against the team from Congo Brazzaville in the Group B fixture to go through to the last eight.
The draw took the Stanley Eguma-led side to 10 points after five games.
Super Eagles’ new invitee for the 2023 AFCON qualifying double header with Guinea-Bissau, Victor Sochima, was in goal for Rivers United.
Despite edging the early exchange it was Diables Noirs who took the lead in the 28th minute after Rivers United’s Ghana defender Emmanuel Ampiah deflected a cross into his own net.
Nyima Nwagua drew Rivers United level in the 73rd minute as he tapped home a delightful cross.
Nwagua then put Rivers United 2-1 ahead in the 77th minute after pouncing on a mix-up between the opponent’s keeper and defender to slot home.
But in the 81st minute, Deo Bassinga equalized for Diables Noirs after a poor clearance by a Rivers United defender.
But the Port Harcourt club held on to progress into the knockout round.
They will take on Côte d’Ivoire club Asec Mimosas in their final group game on April 1st.
