CAF Confederation Cup: Dreams FC beat Rivers United 2-1
Dreams FC got their CAF Confederation Cup campaign back on track after defeating Rivers United of Nigeria 2-1 in their second group match at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday, December 3, 2023.
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Having lost their opening group clash against Club Africain, the Ghanaians went into the match determined to pick all three points to keep their hopes of progressing from the group alive.
Two second half goals from skipper John Antwi and Abdul Aziz Issah were enough to secure a deserved victory over United who won their first match at home against Angolan side, Academica.
Both teams got off to a quiet start as they failed to create any decent chance in the opening ten minutes.
Dreams FC initially struggled to stamp their authority on the match as they could hardly string together 10 passes without giving away possession, leaving the Nigerians to surge forward with confidence.
It was not until the 17th minute that Dreams FC made their first attempt at goal but veteran Antwi’s effort deflected off the body of an opponent for their first corner of the match.
In a clash that lacked attacking threats and left both goalkeepers idling on the field, it was not until the 30th minute that Abdul Aziz Issah delivered a curling effort from 35 yards which missed the target.
Four minutes later, skipper Antwi showed leadership by heading home a cross from the left to put his side 1-0 ahead by the half-time break.
After recess, it was rather the Nigerians who began to show promise after 10 minutes into the half as they made series of incursions into the half of Dreams FC with Alex Oyowah being the tormentor in chief.
As they pushed for the equaliser, Dreams FC deflated any ambition of the visitors coming back with a second goal through Issah in the 72nd minute, finishing off a defence-splitting pass by Agyenim Boateng after a beautiful build-up from the middle.
The Nigerian side fought back and reduced the deficit in the fourth minute of the six-minute added time through a goal by Oyowah.
The win takes Dreams to the second spot on the table behind Club Africain who defeated Academica on the road. --GNA
