Three goals in three minutes from Edem Ekerette, Alex Oyowah and Farouk Mohammed ensured Nigeria’s lone representative on the continent, Rivers United, stayed alive in the CAF Confederation Cup, as they ran out with a 3-2 win over Academica Lobito in Angola.
Rivers United were down by a goal in the 37th minute no thanks to a penalty from Leonardo Isola before Ekerette leveled matters three minutes later.
The Pride of Rivers got their own penalty in the 44th minute and Oyowah made no mistake to give them a 2-1 lead into the break.
Mohammed added the third for Rivers three minutes after the restart and that was enough cushion to prevent a late rally from the hosts who pulled one back in the 67th minute through Fernando Camuege.
Rivers United will now have to beat Dreams FC of Ghana at home in their last group game to stand any chance of reaching the knockout rounds.
The Ghanaians are currently leading the group with 12 points from five matches after beating Club Africain of Tunisia 1-0 on Sunday as well.
Club Africain are now second in the standings with nine points from five matches, same points with third-placed Rivers United but they enjoy a better goals difference.
Next Sunday, Club Africain are home to bottom club Lobito, while Rivers United need a win against the Ghanaians.
Abiodun, who reports Sports for PUNCH, covers different tiers of the Nigerian football league, the national teams, as well as cricket, in the last six years
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