Rivers United collapse at the death as Nigeria’s continental woes deepen

By Maxwell Kumoye 

 

 

Rivers United fell to a gut-wrenching defeat on Sunday night, conceding twice in stoppage time as Moroccan giants RS Berkane snatched a dramatic 2–1 comeback win at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, a result that once again underlines Nigeria’s alarming struggles on the continental stage.

For 90 minutes, the Pride of Rivers looked set to deliver the kind of statement victory Nigerian clubs so desperately need. Instead, what unfolded in added time was a collapse symbolic of a recurring Nigerian nightmare in African football: promise, pressure… then heartbreak.

Berkane, champions of Morocco and serial winners on the continent, started brightly. Camara and Khairi probed from deep, firing warning shots from a distance. 

Rivers United responded with grit, and moments of daring, Bello Martins’ 30-yard free-kick barely drifting wide, and Nnaji’s wicked corner forcing goalkeeper Munir into a frantic punch.

The breakthrough came in the 37th minute. A slick Zachariah delivery met the boot of Ubong Friday, whose volley deflected off Mamadou Camara and wrong-footed the goalkeeper. Uyo erupted. Rivers led. Nigeria dared to believe.

But belief has been a fragile currency for Nigerian clubs lately.

After the break, Rivers United repeatedly flirted with a second goal that would have killed the contest. Taoofeek pounced on a defensive error but blasted straight at Munir. 

Moments later, the goalkeeper produced a stunning one-handed save to deny him again. Berkane’s Machach found Camara free in the box, but the header drifted wide — another warning no one knew Rivers would regret.

Samuel missed on the break. Bello Martins stung Munir’s palms once more. The chances piled up but the scoreboard refused to budge.

And then Uyo witnessed a collapse straight out of a bad dream.

In the fifth minute of added time, Rivers failed to clear their lines and Youness El Kaabi unleashed a ruthless volley to level the score, sucking the air out of the stadium.

Before Rivers United could even steady themselves, disaster struck. Goalkeeper Onisodumeya’s clearance was blocked; the first effort at the empty net cannoned off the post; but Chouiar was there to bury the rebound. 

Two goals in seconds. A Nigerian lead turned to dust. A Moroccan masterclass in ruthlessness.

The final whistle brought stunned silence. Another Nigerian club undone late. Another painful chapter in a growing trend: promising performances, squandered chances, and foreign opponents punishing every lapse.

In a continent where North African clubs thrive on efficiency, structure, and clinical finishing, Nigerian teams continue to fall just short, often dramatically so.

Rivers United now face a precarious trip to Zambia to battle Power Dynamos, while Berkane returns home brimming with confidence to host Egyptian champions Pyramids FC.

For Rivers, and for Nigerian club football as a whole, the message is clear and loud, performances are not enough. Only results can shift the narrative. And right now, the results continue to paint a worrying picture.