Rivers United suffer late heartbreak as Berkane snatch 2–1 win in Uyo

Rivers United were left shocked on Friday night after RS Berkane scored two late goals in stoppage time to win 2–1 in their CAF Champions League Group A match in Uyo.

Finidi George’s team had been on course for their first win of the group stage, but the defeat means they now sit at the bottom of the table after two games.

Rivers United came into the match under pressure, following a 3–0 loss to Pyramids FC in Cairo. Midfielder Temple Emekayi had admitted that playing home fixtures away from Port Harcourt was not ideal, but urged the team to respond with a strong performance.

The Nigerian side started well after surviving early attacks from the Moroccans. Their reward came in the 37th minute when a cross from Zachariah took a deflection off Mamadou Lamine Camara and wrong-footed goalkeeper Munir, giving Rivers the lead.

The goal lifted the crowd and put Rivers in control, while Berkane struggled to create clear chances. Onisodumeya made routine saves from Aabid and Bassene, while Rivers had opportunities to double their lead. Substitute Taoofeek missed two big chances—one blocked by the keeper and another shot straight at him after a loose pass.

Those missed chances later proved costly. With seven minutes added, Rivers tried to protect their narrow lead, but they could not hold on. In the seventh minute of stoppage time, Youness El Kaabi punished poor defending from a free-kick to level the score.

Before Rivers could settle, Berkane struck again. Onisodumeya’s clearance bounced off an opponent, the follow-up shot hit the post, and Mounir Chouiar reacted quickly to score the winner, completing a dramatic comeback.

The result leaves Rivers United bottom of Group A, while Berkane continue their strong start to the competition.

Rivers will now travel to Zambia to face Power Dynamos in their next match—a game that could be key to their qualification chances.