Rivers United coach, Stanley Eguma, has faulted their home defeat in the first leg quarter-final clash of the CAF Confederation Cup against Young Africans of Tanzania to injuries, which kept some of the key players out of the encounter.
The Nigeria Professional Football League champions failed fell to a 2-0 defeat at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Sunday.
Two second half goals from Congolese striker, Fiston Mayele, condemned Eguma’s side to their first home defeat in the competition, leaving them with a mountain to climb in the second leg, which comes up next Sunday in Dar es Salam.
The pride of Rivers missed Morice Chukwu to suspension while Joseph Onoja and the club’s highest goal scorer in the competition, Paul Acquah were also absent due to injury. Williams Ukeme and left-back, Ebube Duru, were also forced out during the games due to injuries as well.