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The Nigerian champions who sit in last place in Group B will play Cote d'Ivoire ASEC Mimosas in their second game on Sunday, February 19.
Rivers United started their 2023 CAF Confederations Cup (CAF) group stage campaign on a poor note, as Congolese side Diables Noirs put three unreplied goals past the Nigerian champions on Sunday.
The fixture at the Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat was one of two fixtures in Group A, as Africa's second-tier football club competition, got underway, following the completion of the qualifying series last November.
Pride of Rivers fall to three first-half goals
Despite being on foreign soil, the Nigerian champions started the game on a good foot, dominating a chunk of the possession in the early moments of the first half.
However, things began to go the way of the hosts who took control of the game twenty minutes in, pressuring the Nigerian side to eventually concede the first goal of the game at the half-hour mark.
Rivers United then conceded a second two minutes later as Jaures Ngombe's attempt beat goalkeeper Mutawakilu Seidu to join Carl Wunda Ngana on the scoresheet.
Not long after, the scoreline was increased to three as Domi Jaures Massoumou finished off from the penalty spot.
The second half failed to see as much action as the first, with the three goals enough for the Congolese Cup winners to pick up their first three points at the expense of the Nigerian champions.
Rivers United to play ASEC Mimosas next
The other Group B fixture saw D.R. Congo's Motema Pembe hold hosts ASEC Mimosas to a goalless draw at the Stade de Yamoussoukro in Cote d'Ivoire.
Sunday's results mean that Rivers United: who are Nigeria's only representative in the group stages of this season's continental club competitions, sit in last place in Group B.
Their second group game will see them welcome ASEC Mimosas to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium next Sunday.
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