Caf Interclub competitions: Plateau United and Kwara United crash out
- Plateau lose to Esperance
- Wydad subdue Kwara United
- Both crash out on away goals
WHAT HAPPENED? The Nigeria Professional Football League teams ended up on the losing side on the continent despite winning at home in the first leg. In the Caf Champions League, Plateau lost 1-0 to Esperance at the Stade Hammadi Agrebi in Tunis. With the match looking to end 0-0, Egyptian referee Ibrahim Nour El-Din awarded a penalty to the hosts seven minutes from full time following an infringement in the Peace Boys’ penalty area. Ben Romdhane took the ensuing kick which he dispatched past goalkeeper Suraj Aiyeleso. With the score tied 2-2 on aggregate, the Tunisians progressed to the group stage on away goals.
The story was not different in the Caf Confederation Cup as Kwara United lost 2-0 to reigning champions RS Berkane. Still hurt by their 3-1 loss to the Harmony Boys in Lagos, the Moroccans started the game on the front foot and took a 17th-minute lead courtesy of Djibril Ouattara. Charki El Bahri doubled the hosts’ lead in the 54th minute. Notwithstanding a late rally by Kwara inside Stade Municipal de Berkane, they were unable to reduce their deficit – thus, crumbling on away goals as well.
WHAT ELSE? NPFL kings Rivers United take a slim 2-1 lead to Morocco where they would be hoping to send Wydad AC packing before their home fans on Sunday.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Nigeria have one team left in the Caf Confederation Cup and one team in the Caf Champions League.
IN ONE PHOTO:
THE VERDICT: Nigerians feel Plateau United were robbed in Tunis following a refereeing blunder by Nour El-Din.
CAF used the Maghreb to eliminate Plateau United. That was never a penalty from Monday to Sunday.
— Uche (@The_UcHandsome) October 15, 2022
@plateau_united robbed of a chance to play in the group stage of the #CAFCL courtesy of dodgy officiating. A penalty given for a foul outside of the box. Shocking!!!
— Charles Anazodo (@chaplinez70) October 15, 2022
Plateau United were robbed today against Esperance in the CAF Champions League, I hope CAF saw the show of shame in Tunis?
— Ibukun Aluko (@IbkSports) October 15, 2022
Big shame on African Football.
North African referees are thieves, freekick awarded as a penalty against Plateau United.
— Adepoju Tobi Samuel 🇳🇬 (@OgaNlaMedia) October 15, 2022
Shame on you @CAF_Online. #CAFCL
DID YOU KNOW? Enyimba are the only team from Nigeria to have won the Caf Champions League. The People’s Elephants achieved this feat for the first time in 2003.
WHAT NEXT FOR NPFL TEAMS? Kwara United will now shift their focus on the yet-to-resume Nigerian top flight while Plateau United – who have been demoted to the Caf Confederations Cup – will know their play-off opponents in the coming weeks.