Rivers United have been knocked out of the CAF Confederation’s Cup in the Quarter final after being beaten by defending champions of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation’s Cup, USM Alger 2-1 on aggregate.
A goal in each half scored by Malian striker Abdullah Kanou secured the valuable victory for the Algerians who rectified their 1-0 defeat in the first leg in Nigeria, winning the tie with an aggregate score of 2-1 to advance to the last four back-to-back.
USM Alger started the match strongly, aiming to open the scoring, but they were unable to do so until the 37th minute when Kanou opened the scoring from close range. Deputy Echeta and Nyima Nwagua also came close to drawing us level.
The second half saw a significant increase in USM Alger’s attacking movements, hoping to extend their lead, but the play became more centralized in the midfield.
Rivers United came close to equalizing, but Andy Okpe’s header hit the crossbar of the Algerian goalkeeper, Osama Ben Boute, in the 72nd minute.
Kanou struck again in the 74th minute, securing the second goal that guaranteed the defending champions’ qualification to the semi-finals.
USM Alger will face Moroccan club Berkane in the semi-finals later on this month
