The players of USM Algiers produced a heroic performance in their first appearance in the quarter-finals of the African Confederation Cup, which took them to the Nigerian city of Port Harcourt on Sunday to face local side Rivers United.

The defending champions fell to an unanswered goal from Augustine Okegibha in the tenth minute of the first half.

The competition’s organizing committee had earlier approved the Nigerian team’s request to move the time of the match, which was hosted by Amisimaka in Port Harcourt, from five o’clock in the afternoon to two o’clock in the afternoon.

This did not take into account the fasting of the players of the Capital’s Union Club, who were forced to endure two hours of extraordinary climatic conditions, with the temperature reaching 34 degrees Celsius and the humidity reaching 90 percent.

Rivers United put the Algerian side under pressure in the first half, showing from the outset that they were determined to qualify on home soil
The team of captain Zinedine Belaid, who was absent for the match, showed great spirit on the field, despite the early goal, refusing to rely on their backs to defend their goal, but rather moving the ball forward in many phases.

In the second phase, USM Algiers tended to gain possession in order to organize attacks, but their opponents’ concentration in their area and their reliance on counterattacks prevented them from doing so.

The capital’s side would have returned to Algeria with a valuable draw had it not been for the lack of concentration of their attackers, such as the duo of Abdoulaye Kanu and Lionel Atiba.
Spanish coach Juan Manuel Garrido’s side will host their Nigerian rivals in the return leg at the capital’s July 5, 1962 stadium.

The Confederation of African Football has scheduled the game for April 7.

It should be noted that the winner of the match between USM Algiers and Rivers United will meet the winner of the match between Abu Salim Al-Liby and RS Berkane of Morocco.
The first leg of the semi-finals will be played on April 21, with the return legs to follow.

Chouil Hichem Merouane English Version: Med.B