Rivers United Assistant Coach, Yemi Olanrewaju, has painfully confessed that the Pride of Rivers shock exit in the first preliminary round of the 2026/2027 CAF Champions League following two early goals they conceded in Sunday’s first preliminary round return leg against FC San Pedro Of Cote d’Ivoire at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, is the club’s worst performance in recent history, Completesports.com reports.
The Nigerians pulled out an inspiring 1-1 draw in the first leg in Ivory Coast last week, a result that held high hopes of a possible easier outing in the reverse fixture back home in Nigeria.
But two early first half goals from Adéwimi Alabi (14 mins) and
Issouf Dosso (19 mins) put the Nigerians under the sword as they now had to battle for survival in a game that looked pretty destined for them from the first leg.
But Chukwuemeka Mbaoma’s 43rd minute goal from the spot halved the deficit for the Nigerians before the break while Douglas Iyowuna drew the Pride of Rivers level with five minutes before the final also from the penalty spot.
With regulation time scoreline at 2-2, FC San Pedro progressed on away goal rule following 3-3 aggregate score over the two legs.
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During the post-match press conference, Olanrewaju, who addressed the media in place of Technical Manager, Finidi George, lamented that the two early goals they conceded disorganised the team, hence the result.
“In terms of talent and tactics, they (FC San Pedro) are a decent side. But conceding two goals in a space of twenty minutes, I think, that’s where we missed it,” Olanrewaju began.
“We looked so disorganised, no positivity. After then, we kept unpacking everything. It’s very unfortunate, honestly. Conceding two goals in 20 minutes is our worst performance in recent history.
“But like I said, we lost everything in the first 20 minutes of the first half.”
Rivers United will now focus on the domestic topflight, EuroMatch/NPFL and the President Federation Cup campaigns for a possible return to the African interclub stage next season.
By Sab Osuji
