March, 10 2023.
Rivers United moved a step closer to qualification to the quarterfinals of the 2022/23 CAF Confederation Cup, by thrashing Daring Club Motema Pembe of the DR Congo 3-1, in their rescheduled Day-4 encounter, at the Godswill Apkabio Stadium in Uyo; on Thursday afternoon.
Ghanaian import, Paul Acquah who got the solitary goal as Rivers United edged the Congolese side 1-0 in the first leg played in Luanda some ten days ago; was again the hero in Uyo by scoring all three goals, as the Pride of Rivers won 3-1 to retake the leadership of Group B, on 9 points.
While the tie originally scheduled for Wednesday, but was hit by an apparent force majeure; the other Day-4 tie in the Group saw Aubin Kramo scoring the solitary goal, on the stroke of the hour mark, as ASEC Mimosas won 1-0 in Brazzaville, against Diables Noires of Congo, to go temporarily top of the Group on 7 points.
Acquah put Rivers United in front on the stroke of half time, and scored again in the 56th minute to double the lead for Stanley Eguma's side; before Kingu Yallet struck in the 78th minute, to halve the deficit, and set the stage for a tense and frenetic finalé.
However any hope of scoring an equalizer and having a share of the spoils were buried when Acquah scored in the 4th minute of added time, to compete his hat trick, and seal the comfortable victory.
With 9 points in the bag, victory of any margin for the reigning NPFL Champions over DC Motema Pembe who are bottom of the Group with 2 points, will guarantee them progression to the round of 16 - the first knockout out round, of CAF 's second tier, Inter-Club Championship.
Meanwhile, Diables Noires of Congo are now 3rd, on four points and will on Day 5 clash with ASEC Mimosas, who reclined to second in Group B with 2 points.
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