By Abubakar Yunusa
Rivers United defeated ten-man Dreams FC of Ghana 2-1 in their final group C match at the Goodwill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Sunday to seal passage to the CAF Confederations Cup quarter-finals.
In the must-win encounter, the lone Nigerian representative in the continental competition sealed passage the hard way after conceding first, netting a 100th-minute goal to seal the win, and with it a place in the last eight of the competition.
The victory also means Rivers United have qualified for the quarter-final of the competition for the second consecutive season.
Abdul Azziz Isah gave Dreams FC the lead on 40 minutes with a solo effort, turning a defender inside out to create a pocket of space before drilling a low hard shot into the far corner for a halftime lead to the visitors.
Deputy Echeta restored parity on 61 minutes with a header following a lofted cross before the late drama ensued as Rivers United pushed the visitors for the winning goal.
Dreams FC had Seth Agmeyand sent off for a second bookable offence in the 81st minute and it set the tone for a finale which Rivers United capitalized upon at the death. A scramble in the box saw the ball fall kindly to Kazie Enyinnaya to drill into the net with bodies on the line, setting off the anxious bench and stadium into celebration.
The win sees Rivers United finish Group A in second place behind Dreams FC due to an inferior goal difference despite both sides finishing on 12 points.