Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Rivers United have secured a valuable goalless draw against Jeunesse Sportive de Kinshasa (Les Aigles du Congo) in the first leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary round tie at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa on Saturday.
The Nigerian side went into the encounter looking to lay down a marker on their return to continental competition. Instead, they were forced to rely on defensive discipline to keep the Congolese debutants at bay in a game that produced plenty of endeavour but no goals.
Les Aigles du Congo, appearing in the competition for the first time, dominated large spells of the first half with their confident passing and ball retention. However, their inexperience showed in the final third as they struggled to carve out clear chances against a resolute Rivers United defence.
The second half followed a similar pattern with both teams pushing harder in search of a breakthrough. Finidi responded by introducing Wisdom Samuel and Wasiu Falolu for Taofeek Otaniyi and Okon Aniekeme after the hour mark, hoping to inject more energy into his side’s attack. Despite the changes, Rivers United could not find the cutting edge needed to nick an away goal.
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For the visitors, the stalemate represents a solid platform ahead of next week’s decisive return leg in Uyo. The Port Harcourt-based club will now fancy their chances of completing the job in front of their home supporters, where victory would secure passage to the next round of the continent’s premier club competition.
With all still to play for, the clash in Uyo promises to be a tense affair. Rivers United will look to draw upon their continental experience, while Jeunesse Sportive de Kinshasa will hope to channel the confidence shown in the first leg into a historic upset on Nigerian soil.
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