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Abiodun Adewale
Rivers United coach, Stanley Eguma, has heaped praises on his players following their spirited display in their 2-1 win against champions Wydad Casablanca in the first leg of their second preliminary game of the CAF Champions League in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Malachi Ohawume and Paul Acquah scored in either half, as the NPFL champions bounced back from a goal down to take the first leg advantage over the defending champions.
The winners of the clash over two legs advance to the lucrative group stage of the competiion.
‘’We had a very difficult game,” Eguma admitted. “The Moroccans gave us a good fight, scoring first early in the game and that almost destabilised us. But I commend the players for their courage, comportment and character.
“We respected them (Wydad) as champions of Africa and they really proved that as well. But for us. we know it’s not over, from the standard of the game, all we need to do is summon courage and work on our tactics ahead of the second leg.”
Rivers United hold a 2-1 advantage into the second leg in Morocco, but Eguma is aware of the nature of the task ahead.
‘’It’s tight, but I’m very optimistic too. It’s a difficult terrain, but it’s football, not mathematics. I know a lot of people will write us off but it is not over yet.
“Within us, we know that we have a big fight ahead and we will not go there to sleep but to work and also put them under severe pressure, so that we can advance to the group stage.”
The return leg takes place in Morocco this weekend.