By Amaechi Agbo

Former Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL champions, Plateau United on Wednesday failed to reach the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup after they were eliminated in the playoff stage by Lybia side, Al Akhdar who defeated them 3-0 in the return leg in Benghazi

Going into the second leg encounter with 4-1 first leg win, the Jos based side needed a draw or not to lose by 3-0 margin to reach the group stage of the continent’s second tier league.

However, three second half goals by the hosts and United’s profligacy ensured that the Tin City Boys failed to reach the group stage after they were demoted to play the Play-off following their exit from the CAF Champions League

Plateau United were demoted to play in the play-off after they lost 2-2 on aggregate against Esperance of Tunisia in their final preliminary round of the Champions League. They led the first leg 2-1 but lost 1-0 in the return leg to cash out.

Nigeria’s hope of reaching the Confederation Cup group stage is now on Rivers United who also gave another Libya side, Al Nasr in Benghazi late tonight. The reigning Nigeria champions have 5-0 first leg lead going into the encounter