Rivers United of Port Harcourt on Sunday secured a place in the quarter-finals of the 2022/2023 CAF Confederation Cup competition in spite of a 2-2 home draw.
The Nigerian Professional Football League title-holders drew their Group B Match Day 5 fixture against Diables Noirs of Congo Brazzaville at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The result sees them moving to 10 points to stay top of the group on goals difference, ahead of second-placed ASEC Mimosas who have the same number of points.
Diables Noirs are third in the group with five points and their qualification hopes had hinged on Ivorian side ASEC losing their match against DC Motema Pembe.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Rivers United had to come from 1-0 down to lead 2-1, before conceding an equaliser nine minutes to time.
Emmanuel Ampiah put the ball in his own net to give Diables Noirs the lead which they held on till half-time. In the second half though, Rivers United heightened their game and Nwangwa Nyima scored twice in four minutes to take the lead.
However, Diables Noirs restored parity with nine minutes left through Deo Bassinga. Visiting ASEC Mimosas beat Motema Pembe 2-1 to bolster their position and take the battle for group leadership to April 2 when they host Rivers United on the final match day. Aubin Kramo scored a brace for ASEC, including a 90th minute winner.
He had broken the deadlock after 27 minutes, but the home side drew level in the 51st minute through Mydo Yallet. ASEC battled on in spite of pressure and they got the winner at the stroke of full-time.
Meanwhile, NAN reports that the match day six fixture between ASEC and Rivers United will determine which side finished first in the group, with the Nigerian side needing only a draw.
