Despite its poor outing in the CAF Confederation Cup contest, Rivers United tried all they could to justify the huge resources invested in the team by the state government, according to ex-international, Garba Lawal.
The Port Harcourt side bowed 0-2 to Club Africain of Tunisia in their last game with no hope of moving on to the competition’s group stage.
The former Super Eagles midfielder lauded Rivers United effort in the competition, saying that they really put up a good fight but lost out when the chips were down.
“Don’t blame Rivers United. They tried their best out of the Nigerian teams that featured in the competition. Rangers and FC Ifeanyiubah played in the competition but failed to progress to this stage. We should praise Rivers for putting up a good fight. The competition is a big lesson to the team. They should work harder next time,” Lawal added.
After subduing the Nigerian team, Club Africain now tops Group A standings with nine points while Nigeria’s Rivers United remain fourth with six points.
Meanwhile, Al Hilal Obeid of Sudan reached the quarter-finals at the first attempt after their 2-0 win at home against Recreativo Libolo of Angola. The Victory gave Hilal an unassailable four-point lead over third-place Libolo with one round to play in a group completed by Zesco United of Zambia and Smouha of Egypt.
Zesco recovered from a matchday 4 mauling by Libolo in Angola to draw 1-1 with Smouha in the ancient Mediterranean city, Alexandria.
