April, 23 2023.
Rivers United quest for continental glory was on Sunday left in tatters after Tanzanian side, Young Africans SC defeated the reigning NPFL Champions 2-0, in the first leg of their 2023 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal fixture.
Congolese Striker Fiston Mayele scored both goals in the 73 and 81st minutes, after a closely fought first half, that ended goalless, at the Godswill Apkabio Stadium, in Uyo.
Firstly, he tuned in a brilliant inch-perfect pass from his captain, Mwannyeto in the 73rd minute, but a VAR check was needed, before the opening goal was validated!
The 28 year old Mayele scored again 8 minutes later, after a brilliant counter attack by the visitors to complete his brace, and gave Yanga SC a huge first leg advantage, ahead of the second and decisive leg to be played in Dar es Salaam on Sunday, April 30th.
The Pride of Rivers United are Nigeria's only surviving clubside on the continent, following the ousting of Remo Stars, Plateau United and Kwara United earlier on, and now walks a very tight rope, in their quest to qualify for the semifinals.
The crunch quarterfinal first leg, afforded Rivers United an opportunity to warm up for their eagerly awaited national Federation Cup Round of 64 mouthwatering clash against Enyimba of Aba, 3 days later; preparatory to their trip to Dar es Salaam, capital of Tanzania, to honour the second leg.