Rivers United of Nigeria secured a 1-0 victory away to Tanzania’s Young Africans ‘Yanga’ in the 2021-22 Totalenergies CAF Champions League first preliminary round first leg on Sunday evening at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam.
A second half goal from Omoduemuke Mosses was enough for the Nigeria representatives to secure away victory.
The game started with visitors dominating the first quarter hour but they created no dangerous attack to open the deadlock. Rivers midfield Madu Emanuel shot a bit wide in the 14th minute.
Aduyum Salehe came close to score the match opener for Yanga in the 20th minute but his free-kick went few inches up the crossbar. Yanga top striker, Herritier Makambo missed another chance few seconds later after his long range shot went a bit wide.
Another Makambo trial went few inches away in the 25th minute before Rivers responded promptly few seconds later with the same outcome.
Rivers goalie denied Yacouba Sogne header in the 27th minute before defenders came for a clearance. Sogne missed another chance a minute later with his header went wide.
Yanga goalie, Diara was up to task to deny another attempt from the visitors in the half hour mark.
The visitors nearly open the scoring three minutes before the break but striker Omoduemuke Mosses missed a sitter, curling the ball few inches away the far post. Diara had another super save to rescue a day for Yanga in the 45th minute.
Six minutes after break Mosses this time make no mistake after headed the match opener for the visitors, connecting a good pass from Onoja Joseph.
Feisal Salum will blame himself after missed a sitter in the 65th minute following a good cross from Jesus Moloko from the right.
The visitors could have doubled their lead in the 77th minute after secured a three against one situation but failed to capitalize for a goal as Yanga goalie, Diara step forward to save a day for his side.
Rivers goalie, Ndukauba Victor denied Yussuf Athuman from inside the box five minutes to time and ensure his side secure crucial away victory. The return leg will take place in Nigeria next week.
