CAF Champions League: Plateau, Rivers United seal comeback wins over Esperance, Wydad
There is still much to do for the Nigerian flag bearers in next weekend's second leg ties in Tunisia and Morocco
The two teams representing Nigeria in the CAF Champions League, Plateau United and Rivers United both battled to slim 2-1 victories on Sunday in their first leg games.
At the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Plateau United overcame Esperance 2-1 while Rivers United secured an identical scoreline in their clash against Wydad AC in Port Harcourt.
Playing in front of the Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong Minister for Youth and Sports Sunday Dare and the new Nigeria Football Federation President, Ibrahim Gusau, Plateau United were pumped of for action against the Tunisian giants.
However, it was the North Africans that drew the first blood as Badri's calm finish in the 25th minute gave Esperance the lead.
After a string of missed chances, Emmanuel Ifeanyi fired Plateau United level in the 35th minute as he rose high to nod in the equaliser for the Peace Boys.
Just before the half time whistle was sounded, Plateau United shot into lead for the first time in the game as Mustapha Ibrahim nodded home Daniel Itodo's throw in.
Though both sides created decent chances in the second half, none was converted as the game ended 2-1 in favour of the Nigeria flag bearers.
Just as it was the case in Abuja, it was the visitors who scored first in Port Harcourt with Senegalese forward Bouly Sambou giving Wydad AC a 1-0 lead in the 33rd minute.
That lead was however short-lived as Malachi Ohawume pulled Rivers United level two minutes after they conceded the opening goal.
While the scores was even at 1-1 at the end of the first half, Rivers United scored what proved to be the winning goal less than 10 minutes into the second half.
Paul Acuquah with an emphatic finish made the score 2-1 in the 54th minute.
Though Rivers United pressed for more goals against the defending champions, they could only get the slim victory ahead of next weekend's second leg tie in Casablanca.
While the winner over two legs will seal a berth in the lucrative Champions League group stage, the loosing teams will be in the pool for the Confederation Cup final playoffs.
