Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, champions, Rivers United thrashed Libyan side El Nasr Benghazi 5-0 in the CAF Confederation Cup first leg playoff at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The Pride of Rivers dropped down to the CAF second tier inter-club competition took an early lead from the spot through left-back Ebube Duru after Ghanaian forward Paul Acquah was brought down inside the box by the El Nasr Benghazi goalkeeper.
Kaize Enyinnaya doubled the lead for the host, before Paul Acquah strike with a close range effort as Rivers United went into the half time break with a comfortable 3-0 lead.
The host came back in the second half buzzing for more goals and nearly made it 4-0 when former Kano Pillars man Nyima Nwagua header in the 48th minute from a delightful Ebube Duru’s cross went over the crossbar for a goal kick.
It became a difficult afternoon for the Libyan after they conceded another penalty in the 64th minute which Ebube Duru converted to make it 4-0 for Rivers United.
Malachi Ohawume completed the rout with a thunderbolt strike in the 72nd minute which left El Nasr Benghazi goalkeeper rooted to his spot as Nigerian champions secured a comfortable 5-0 win in the first-leg.
The victory puts Rivers United in control going into the second leg next week in Libya on Wednesday, November 9, 2022.
Winner of the two leg between Rivers United and El Nasr Benghazi will qualify for the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup.
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