CAF Confederation Cup: Rivers United lose to USM Alger fails to reach semi-finals

Defending champions of the CAF Confederation Cup, USM Alger secured their spot in the semi-finals of the competition on Sunday night after defeating Rivers United 2-0 in the second leg of the quarter-finals.

USM Alger rectified their defeat in the first leg in Nigeria with a 1-0 loss, winning the tie with an aggregate score of 2-1 to advance to the last four and keep alive their hopes of retaining the title.

Malian striker, Abdullah Kanou, scored both goals for USM Alger securing a valuable victory for his team, and allowing them to reach the semi-finals for the second consecutive time.

USM Alger started the match strongly, aiming to open the scoring, but they were unable to do so until the 37th minute when Kanou opened the scoring from close range.

The second half saw a significant increase in USM Alger's attacking movements, hoping to extend their lead, but the play became more centralized in the midfield.

Rivers United came close to equalizing, but Andy Ogbai's header hit the crossbar of the Algerian goalkeeper, Osama Ben Boute, in the 72nd minute.

Kanou struck again in the 74th minute, securing the second goal that guaranteed the defending champions' qualification to the semi-finals.

USM Alger will face Moroccan club Berkane in the semi-finals later this month.