By Amaechi Agbo

Disaster was aborted Sunday (or postponed) as remaining two NPFL Clubs in CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup campaigners, Enyimba International FC and Rivers United Overcome the hurdles in the respectively matches against Rahimo FC and Futuro Kings to book a place in the second preliminary round of the CAF interclub competitions.

Enyimba and Rivers United were the only two clubs from the country left in the two continental competitions after Plateau United and Kano Pillars crashed out of the leagues on Saturday.

With the elimination of the two clubs, pressure were now piled up on Enyimba and Rivers United to save the country from the impending implosion.

Expectedly, the two clubs did not disappoint but their victories did not come without concern and moments of uncertainties.

Playing against Rahimo FC in Aba in CAF Champions League, Enyimba needed a draw to reach the next stage and the hope was raised high when they took the lead as Austin Oladapo opened the scoring in the second half, 60 minute but the Rihimo boys gave the People’s Elephants scare when they equalised on the 75th minute to put the match under intense altitude.

Enyimba’s situation was compounded when in the closing stages, Imo Obot was given the marching order for a wrong challenge

But they held on to progress on 2-1 aggregate win against their visitors.

In Port Harcourt, Rivers United needed penalty shootout to progress to the next round after they defeated their visitors, Futuro Kings 2-1 same scoreline they recorded in their defeat in Equitoral Guinea last week Sunday.

With the scores poised at 3-3 aggregate, the match went into penalty shootout and the Port Harcourt based side prevailed against their opponents in a 2-0 win.

Enyimba and Rivers United have thus progressed to the next round of the competitios.

Enyimba FC will take on Al Merrikh SC of Morroco in the next stage.

Rivers United will battle Bloemfontaei Celtic of South Africa in the second preliminary round

The first and second legs will hold from 22-23 December 2020 and 5-6 January, 2021