CAF C/League: Rivers United zoom into next stage

Rivers United made it back to back defeat of Young Africans of Tanzania to hit the group of 32 stage of the CAF Champions league at the weekend.

As if in love with lone goal victory, the Garden City landlords battled till the 81st minute with the Dar es Salaam side before Uche Onwuasonaya scored the much needed goal to catapult the side to round of 32.

Rivers United had earlier in the first leg achieve a lone goal victory at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium Dar-es-Salaam and then finished the job with another lone goal victory at the Adokiye Amasiemaka Football Stadium a week after.

The Nigerian flag bearers will next face Al Hilal of Sudan at home on the 14th October and then away on October 21. Fans of the Garden City side say the team must ensure they post a good result at home to stand a chance flying past Al Hilal known for their fight to the finish approach continental outings.

Meanwhile, Royal Leopards of Eswatini fell 2-1 away to 2016 semi-finalists Zesco United of Zambia in Ndola, but secured a place in the second and final qualifying round on away goals having won 1-0 at home.

Zesco scored first, through Zimbabwean Tafadzwa Rusike on 30 minutes, only to be rocked by an Andy Magagula equaliser just five minutes later.

Needing to score at least twice to progress, the hosts regained the lead through Zambian international Winston Kalengo four minutes into the second half.

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Zesco were awarded a penalty on the hour, but Kenyan Jesse Were missed and Leopard held on to win a preliminary round tie for the first time after four failed attempts.

Leopard now tackle Esperanca Sagrada of Angola, who eliminated Platinum of Zimbabwe in a penalty shootout after 0-0 draws in Luanda and Harare.