A late equaliser rescued Rivers United from defeat in Abidjan, while Shooting Stars marked their long-awaited return to continental football with a hard-fought victory in Abeokuta.
For both Nigerian clubs, the opening legs of their CAF competitions delivered plenty of drama — and set up intriguing return fixtures.
Rivers United Fight Back in Abidjan
Rivers United kicked off their CAF Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against FC San Pedro in the first preliminary round first leg at the Laurent Pokou Stadium on Saturday evening.
With the Pride of Rivers trailing by a goal, Finidi George turned to his playmaker, Iyowuna Douglas, and the substitute delivered when it mattered most.
After a goalless first half, the game sprang to life 11 minutes after the restart. The hosts caught the Nigerian side on the counter down the left wing before a dangerous cross found Issouf Dosso inside the box. The forward rose highest and powered a fine header into the net to put FC San Pedro ahead.
But the Garden City side refused to fold.
Nine minutes after the hour mark, Douglas produced a composed finish from inside the box to restore parity. The substitute had been on the pitch for barely six minutes before making his mark.
His timely intervention ensured the Pride of Rivers left Abidjan with a valuable draw and head into next week’s return fixture in Uyo with everything still to play for.
Shooting Stars Take Continental Lead
Meanwhile, in Abeokuta, Nigeria’s representative in the CAF Confederation Cup, Shooting Stars, secured a narrow 1-0 victory over CS Sfaxien.
It was a gritty performance from the Oluyole Warriors, who celebrated their return to continental football after more than two decades away.
The victory also carried historical significance. Shooting Stars are featuring in the CAF Confederation Cup for the first time in their history, having last competed on the continent in the 1999 CAF Champions League, when they reached the group stage.
Just four minutes before the half-hour mark, Emmanuel Lucky reacted quickest inside the six-yard box to send the Ibadan side into dreamland following a swift corner-kick routine.
That strike proved decisive, handing the NPFL side a slender advantage to take into the return leg.
With both Nigerian clubs still firmly in contention, the return fixtures promise another fascinating chapter.
