Rivers United came into the game needing at least a 2-0 margin win to have an arithmetical chance of advancing, as they were third on the Group C log.
On the other hand, Tunisia’s Club Side Africain was expected to continue pounding the Group C punching bag, Academica of Angola, which hitherto had no point.
However, Ghana’s Dream FC went ahead against the run of play in Uyo when Abdul Aziz Issha found the net against Rivers United in the 40th minute.
To further compound Rivers United’s momentary woes, Nigerian-born Kingsley Eduwo shot Club Africain of Tunisia up in Tunisia in the home duel against Angola’s Academica.
Back to Uyo, Rivers United fought back to equalise in the 61st minute through Echeta Deputy to put the scores at 1-1.
At that moment, United were still arithmetically out of the cut-off as they remained glued to the third position.
Then came a glitter of hope from Tunisia when, unexpectedly, Angola’s Academica fought back to equalise in the 79th minute through Samuel Cachimbombo.
That development served as a tonic for Rivers United, who grabbed a late winner in the 10th minute of added time through Kazie Goodwill.
The result meant the Port Harcourt club finished second in Group C with 12 points from six games.
Dreams FC topped the standings with the same points but enjoyed a better goal difference.
Tunisia’s Club Africain finished third in the group after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Academica do Lobito of Angola.
(NAN)
