Rivers United's CAF Champions League dream ended in heartbreak after a 2-2 draw against San Pedro saw them eliminated on the away-goals rule.
Finidi George’s men went into the second leg in Uyo with confidence after earning a 1-1 draw in Ivory Coast in the first meeting.
However, San Pedro stunned the home crowd by taking a two-goal lead at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, putting the hosts on the brink of elimination.
The Nigerian side responded strongly, scoring twice to level the match and bring the aggregate score to 3-3. They pushed for a decisive third goal but could not find it before the final whistle.
With the result, San Pedro advanced on away goals, ending the Port Harcourt club’s continental campaign.
Meanwhile, reigning Nigerian champions Enugu Rangers reached the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League after defeating Sobemap FC 5-4 on penalties.
The Enugu-based side drew 1-1 with the Beninese club in their second leg at Stade de Kegue in Lome, leaving the tie level at 2-2 on aggregate.
Rangers took the lead in the 22nd minute when Sobemap scored an own goal. However, the hosts fought back to equalise with 25 minutes remaining.
Neither side could find a winning goal before the final whistle, sending the tie into a penalty shootout.
Rangers held their nerve from the spot to win 5-4 and secure their place in the next round. Fidelis Ilechukwu’s team will now face Algerian giants MC Alger.
CAF Confederation Cup
El-Kanemi Warriors reached the second round of the CAF Confederation Cup despite losing 1-0 to UDIB of Benin Republic.
The Maiduguri-based side advanced 3-1 on aggregate after securing a commanding 3-0 victory in the first leg.
UDIB needed at least three unanswered goals to overturn the deficit and keep their campaign alive but the NPFL side’s first-leg advantage proved decisive.
The hosts managed to score once in the return fixture, reducing the deficit, but could not find the additional goals needed to force the tie level.
El-Kanemi remained organised and protected their aggregate lead until the final whistle, confirming their passage into the next round.
Despite the defeat, the Nigerian side can take confidence from their strong first-leg performance as they prepare for Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca in the Second Round. The winners on aggregate will qualify for the group stage.
Shooting Stars were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup after losing 2-0 to CS Sfaxien in the second leg of their first preliminary-round tie.
The Ibadan club went into the match with a 1-0 advantage after Lucky Emmanuel scored the only goal in the first leg in Abeokuta on September 5.
However, CS Sfaxien overturned the deficit in Tunisia to win the tie 2-1 on aggregate.
Iyed Belwafi put the hosts ahead in the 27th minute, to cancel out the Oluyole Warriors’ lead.
The Tunisians continued to push for another goal and were rewarded when Belwafi struck again in the 68th minute.
Shooting Stars fought hard for a response but could not find a goal as CS Sfaxien advanced to the second preliminary round.