By Amaechi Agbo

Two Nigeria clubs in the 2020/2021 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, Enyimba and Rivers United, respectively recorded mixed result in the continental matches played on Wednesday

While Enyimba were thrashed 3-0 by their host, AL Merrikh of Sudan, Rivers United braced the odds and defeated their host, Bloemfontein Celtic in South Africa.

Enyimba players were shocked and beaten by a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Al Merrikh of Sudan. It was a first round, first leg of the CAF Champions League.

Saif Terry’s treble was all the Sudanese giants needed to get past the Nigerian representatives.

With this result, Fatai Osho’s team must defeat Didier Gomes Da Rosa’s side by four unreplied goals in the second leg billed for Aba in January 2021 to stand a chance of progressing to the group phase. Failure to do that would see them demoted to the CAF Confederation Cup.

In the previous decade, Enyimba enjoyed success on the continent after defeating Egypt’s Ismaily to become the first Nigerian team to win the CAF Champions League before going ahead to defend their title the following year.

On their part, Rivers United shocked their South African host, Bloemfontein Celtic in the First Qualifying Round first leg tie of the CAF Confederation Cup on Wednesday after a 0-2 away win.

After a goalless first half, Godwin Aguda scored the opening goal for Rivers United in the 71st minute.

Twelve minutes later, Fortune Omoniwari doubled Rivers United’s lead to leave the home team in search of two goals at their backyard.

The Port Harcourt based Club returns to Nigeria with a 2-0 advantage and two away goals for the return leg in January 2021.