Late heartbreak in Rabat as Rivers United crash out of CAF Confed Cup

Antonin Panenka resurfaced in the shape of a Moroccan – Youssef El Gnaoui - on Friday night in Rabat to leave pain and gnashing of teeth in his wake as Nigerian side, Rivers United FC bowed out of the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup with a whimper. 

United needed to win at a rocking Stade du FUS (Hay Nahda, Rabat) but started on the back foot with the North Africans pushing and probing in search of an early goal.

They almost got it in the fourth minute when El Gnaoui forced a brilliant save off the Rivers United goalkeeper, Abiodun Akande who would go on to have a barn storming game.

Three minutes later, United were reeling again as Ifeanyi Nweke rallied to produce a goal line clearance before Akande evoked memories of former Colombia international maverick goalkeeper, Rene Higuita by heading away a dangerous free kick.

FUS continued to dominate but profligacy coupled with an Akande in inspired form, kept the former Botola Pro champions at bay.

There is a maxim in football which buttresses a point about paying the price when you fail to convert numerous opportunities and it was ruthlessly displayed when United scored with their first real opening of the game.

Nweke’s opportunistic cross into the FUS box was flapped at by goalkeeper, Aymane Majid and the loose ball fell towards the path of poacher, Bolaji Sakin.

The big striker could not believe his luck as he calmly took aim and curled the ball into the far corner to give the ‘Pride of Rivers’ a fortuitous lead.

It was a horrible time to concede but to their credit, FUS did not panic; they stayed true to their ideals and philosophy; playing their passing game which soon led to ultimate punishment for the Port Harcourt club in a high octane second half.

Youssef El Gnaoui tapped into an unguarded net from close range in the 52nd minute following good work by El Mehdi El Bassil after Bernard Ovoke unsuccessfully tried to dribble his way from the back. 

The Moroccans struck the final nail into the Rivers United coffin with just two minutes remaining on the clock when Mohammed Fouzair converted a penalty – ala Panenka- after Festus Austine needlessly handled the ball in the box. 

It was a richly deserved victory for the Moroccans who dominated and were denied on two occasions by goal line clearances from Nweke and Joseph Douhadji. 

The Rivers United goalkeeper, Abiodun Akande was his side’s best performer on the day as he produced a series of top class save to help keep the eventual result respectable. 

Technical manager of Rivers United, Stanley Eguma and his counterpart from FUS Rabat, Hoalid Regragui gave their thoughts about the game in a post-match press conference covered by our official website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng. 

Rivers United finished bottom of Group A with six points from six matches while KCCA finished in third place with nine points after losing 0-4 in Tunis to the eventual table toppers, Club Africain. 

United and KCCA thus crash out of the competition at the group stage while the two North Africans march on.

FUS Rabat qualified for the quarter finals after finishing in second place with nine points from six matches. 

Teams

FUS Rabat: Aymane Majid, Mehdi Khalis, Saad Khorsa (Hamza Semmoumy 74’), Naif Aguerd, Ayoub Skouma, Mohammed Fouzair, Badr Boulhroud, Lamina Diakite, Zakaria Benlamachi, El Mehdi El Bassil and Youssouf El Gnaoui (Mohammed Saoud 86’).

Substitutes not used: Ibourahima Sidibe and Younes Ezziadi.

Rivers United: Abiodun Akande, Festus Austine, Douhadji Joseph, Ifeanyi Nweke, Ovoke Bernard (Guy Kuemian 90), Saka Ayo (Egbuonu Odumegwu 66’), Bolaji Sakin (Wassa Gabriel 81’), Zoumana Doumbia  Lukman Mohammed  Alliassou Sanou  and Ojobo Markson.

Substitutes not used: Femi Thomas, Ayobami Asekunowo and Obomate Frederick.

Yellow cards: Zoumana Doumbia (59’) and Abiodun Akande (87’)