Boluwatife Kehinde
Nigerian football clubs Kwara United and Abia Warriors have both seen their journeys in the CAF Confederation Cup come to an end following disappointing performances on Sunday, failing to advance beyond the first preliminary round of the tournament.
Kwara United faced a challenging matchup against the Ghanaian champions Asante Kotoko at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, while Abia Warriors traveled to Bamako, Mali, to take on Djoliba.
In their clash, Kwara United aimed to overturn a slim 4-3 deficit from the first leg of their tie. However, they were bested once again, this time 1-0 by Asante Kotoko, resulting in a 5-3 aggregate score that ultimately sealed their fate.
The Ghanaian side, demonstrating impressive composure after their narrow first-leg victory, secured the win thanks to a crucial second-half goal from Hubert Gyau, whose strike was a product of relentless pressure on the home side’s defense.
The match got off to an energetic start, with Kwara United creating an early opportunity just seven minutes into the game when they pushed forward, forcing the Kotoko defense to scramble.
The visitors responded shortly after, exhibiting their attacking prowess as midfielder Lord Adabo unleashed a powerful shot, narrowly missing the target after a loose ball fell to him.
As the first half progressed, Kwara United continued to apply pressure in hopes of seizing an early advantage. A pivotal moment came midway through the half when a meticulously executed corner kick taken by Seun Ogunribide was poorly handled by Kotoko’s goalkeeper, Camara Mohamed.
This mistake allowed Kwara’s Aliu Salawudeen to pounce on the loose ball, but his follow-up shot went awry, much to the dismay of the home supporters who were anticipating a breakthrough.
The turning point of the match occurred in the 54th minute when Asante Kotoko capitalised on a defensive lapse. Gyau intercepted a pass intended for a Kwara defender before delivering a powerful volley that left the home team’s goalkeeper, Suraj Ayeleso, with no chance to respond.
Determined to find an equalizer, Kwara United pressed hard in the later stages of the match. A significant chance arrived in the 67th minute when Bright Babatunde skillfully rounded the goalkeeper after receiving a perfectly timed through ball.
However, just as he prepared to take his shot, the Kotoko defense managed to regroup and blocked his attempt, preventing the equalizer.
In the other match, Abia Warriors found themselves in a challenging position after managing only a 1-1 draw in the first leg held in Uyo. Facing Djoliba in their return match, Abia could not secure the victory needed, as they fell 1-0 in Bamako.
This defeat resulted in a 2-1 aggregate score, ensuring Djoliba’s progression in the tournament at the expense of the Nigerian side.
As a result of these outcomes, both Kwara United and Abia Warriors exit the CAF Confederation Cup early, marking a tough outing for Nigerian representatives in this year’s competition.
