Like Remo Stars, Rivers succumb to a 7–1 aggregate defeat in the CAF Champions League

By Kunle Solaja.

Rivers United joined compatriots Remo Stars in crashing out of the CAF Champions League after suffering a heavy 7–1 aggregate defeat, following a 4–1 loss at home to Pyramids FC on Sunday.

The defeat echoed Remo Stars’ earlier fate in the competition, where they were overwhelmed 5–1 at home by South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns before losing 2-0 away.

In a similar fashion, Rivers collected a 3-0 deficit away in Cairo before the 4-1 home loss to get an aggregate of 7-1 loss.

Both Nigerian sides exited the tournament on identical aggregate scorelines. Pyramids and Sundowns were the two finalists in last season’s CAF Champions League.

Despite fielding a largely second-string side, Pyramids were briefly shaken when Rivers United midfielder Stephen Manyo put the hosts ahead in the 33rd minute with a free kick, ending the Egyptian club’s run without conceding a goal in the group stage.

The visitors, who had already secured qualification for the quarter-finals, responded emphatically after the break. Mostafa Fathi equalised in the 52nd minute before Marawan Hamdi converted a penalty in the 77th minute to give Pyramids the lead.

Substitute winger Odeh Al-Fakhouri, making his debut after joining the club this month, added a third goal, while fellow substitute Nasser Maher completed the rout in injury time to seal a comprehensive away victory.

The result confirmed Pyramids’ dominance of Group A, as they moved to 13 points, six ahead of second-placed RS Berkane. Rivers United’s fourth defeat of the group stage ended their hopes of progressing.

Pyramids had already sealed top spot in the group following RS Berkane’s 2–0 defeat by Power Dynamos, and will round off their group campaign against the Zambian side in Cairo on Sunday in a match with no bearing on qualification in this season’s CAF Champions League.

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