Rivers United hold AS Real Bamako to goalless draw

Less than 24 hours after Premier league champions   Rangers international held their Algerian counterparts to a 1-1 draw in Algiers, Rivers United have equally risen to the occasion to hold AS Real Bamako of Mali to goalless draw in Bamako in their first leg CAf Champions league tie.

The Garden City side who refused to be intimidated right from the first blast of the whistle held their hosts to a goalless setting   till the end of the first half.  

On resumption of play in the second half Luckman Mohammed sent in a rattler that should have handed the Port Harcourt landlords a goal. From that 47th minute effort by Lukman it was Rivers United effort all the way with another attempt at goal in the 49th. 

When Real Bamako made dangerous incursion however, it was goalkeeper Femi Thomas that stopped rampaging Abdramane Traore from point blank delivery.

Asamoah Godbless came in the 56th minute for  Lukman Mohammed as coach Stanley Eguma appears at this point to believe that he can indeed achieve something better the a draw.

 Zoumana Doumana however saw yellow in the 61st minute for a foul on Traore. 

Not even the introduction of Idrissa Traore in place of Mohammed Sangary could achieve the desperate result being sort by the hosts as Rivers United stood their ground supported by impressive performance from goalkeeper Femi Thomas. 

 A 73rd minutes cross by Salim Bah that looked dangerous was perfectly collected by a very impressive Femi Thomas.

 Allissou Sanou was taken off in a stretcher in the 77th minute but that did not deter Rivers United as replacement Ayobami Asekunowo took off from he stopped mounting pressure on the hosts who were subsequently forced to introduce a Nigerian Folarin Temitope in the 79th minute to see if he can disunite Rivers United but that failed to happen rather that it gingered Coach Stanley Eguma to introduce the Benard Ovoke dubbed the magician”to replace Nzube Anazemba.

 With few minutes to the end of the match the home fans who were visibly disappointed began to exit the Modibo Keita stadium.

There were four crucial minutes of added time which appeared to be the most tensed of all the minutes played so far but a determined   Rivers United players refused to crumble till the last whistle. 

The result gives the Garden city side a better position ahead of the return leg which they stand a good chance of winning

Gallant Rangers draw with JS Saoura in Algiers

CAF champions league campaigners Rangers international were in superlative form Friday, as they forced their Algerian counterparts JS Saoura to a 1-1 draw in Algiers. 

The Flying Antelopes  who some say have been struggling  in the local league after  winning the title last season approached the match with vigor contesting every ball and displaying all the seriousness of a side determined to go far in the continental showpiece.

Algerians shot into the lead in the 32nd minute of the match but the Imama Amakapabo tutored side responded just seven minutes later thanks to Bobby Clement who to put score line at 1-1. 

To show that they have not come to Algiers for a tea party serious minded Rangers almost got the second goal in the 42nd minute when Bobby Clément’s goal bound shot was blocked. 

As the intensity of the match increased Chiamaka Madu was thrown in place of Godwin Aguda while Daniel Etor was also unleashed in place of Osas Okoro.

Enterprising Bobby Clement was finally pulled out for in the 88th minute for Ocheme Edoh. 

Ocheme apparently properly schooled before coming in fired a shot that almost resulted in a goal just few minutes to the end of the match.

 JS Saoura players were left surprised after the final whistle time. 

The result puts Rangers in a vintage position ahead of the return leg billed for the Cathedral in a fortnight.

Fans of the Flying Antelopes who monitored the match did not hesitate to appreciate the away results achieved by the side, as many immediately took to the social media to congratulate the team for rising to the occasion

Tornadoes get Ajoku's boost vs Enyimba

Hard working technical crew of Niger Tornadoes have revived a major boost following Super Striker Blessing Ajoku's return to fitness ahead of Sunday's clash against two time champions league side Enyimba.

Ajoku whose impressive finishing has become a major talking point among die hard followers of the Nigeria professional Football league, was pulled off in the second half of Tornadoes tie against Remo Stars raising fears that he may be missing the match against the Peoples Elephants to injury.  

Medics of the club have however handed him clean bill of health which has fired up the spirit in camp.

"Ajoku is fit to play, there is nothing to worry about as it was a minor injury.  We advised the technical crew to pull him out during the clash against Remo Stars as precautionary measure, he is good to go" confirmed Yakubu Abdullahi of the team's medical department.

Ajoku has already scored four goals including the only goal that earned Tornadoes away win at the expense of the Remo Stars in shagamu with Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr watching with keen interest.

A confident Tornadoes Coach Abubakar Bala, believes his side has been having a good run so far, adding that it has been operation one match at time and it has been working. “Our desire is to have a good run in the league and I am happy we are measuring up so far," he enthused   

Tornadoes will be hoping to build on the away win achieved in Shagamu just as Enyimba will be heading into the match fresh from a lone goal victory over Akwa United.