By Kunle Solaja.

Rivers State Sports Commissioner and ex–NFF Technical Committee Chairman, Chris Green, has raised serious concerns over the officiating in Rivers United’s 2–1 loss to Moroccan giants RS Berkane in Friday’s CAF Champions League Matchday 2 clash in Uyo.

Rivers United appeared to be cruising to victory after taking a 1–0 lead and holding firm deep into stoppage time.

 But the match took a dramatic and chaotic turn right at the end of the initially announced seven minutes of added time.

On exactly the seventh minute of added time, RS Berkane’s Youness El Kaabi struck from a free kick to level the score, stunning the home crowd.

Barely two minutes later — with fans still reeling — Mounir Chouiar pounced on a rebound off the post and rolled the ball into an empty net to seal a shock 2–1 win for the Moroccan visitors.

For Rivers United, the collapse was as sudden as it was painful.

Green Questions Added Time, Accuses Referee of Poor Handling

Speaking in a telephone interview with Sports Village Square, Green expressed disbelief at the seven minutes of stoppage time awarded, insisting it did not reflect the actual delays in the second half.

“I don’t know where the referee got seven minutes from. The stoppages in the second half were nowhere near that,” he said.

Green also criticised Senegalese referee Issa Sy, accusing him of mishandling the game, pointing in particular to a disallowed first-half goal from a corner kick that had initially put Rivers United ahead.

The disallowed Rivers United goal in the first half.

While Rivers United now face an uphill task in their CAF Champions League campaign, Green’s allegations add yet another layer to the growing debate over officiating standards in CAF competitions.

As emotions run high in Port Harcourt, the club and its supporters will be looking for answers — and hoping Friday’s heartbreak does not derail their continental ambitions.

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From what looked an imminent victory over the visiting Moroccan side, RS Berkane, Rivers United suddenly plunged into a 2-1 loss in the match day 2 of the CAF Champions League.

Rivers United had taken the lead in the 38^th minute when a Berkane defender and Senegalese import, Mamadou Lamine Camara cleared the ball into his own net. Rivers United held on tenaciously to the lone goal till the regulation time.

Then came a seven-minute added time. Rivers United did everything to wind down the time leading to an additional three minutes which proved suicidal.

Youness El Kaabi pounced on a loose ball from a free kick in the seventh minute of the added time to draw level for the Moroccans.

Before the Rivers United could recover from the shock, Berkane scored the winner through Mounir Chouiar after an initial strike hit the goal post.

With the result, Rivers United flowed into the backwaters of the Group A table.

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Nigeria’s remaining hopeful in the CAF Champions League, Rivers United, return to action this Friday determined to revive their Group A campaign when they face Moroccan giants RS Berkane at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

Matchday 2 of the group stage begins this weekend with 16 clubs continuing their push for a place in the knockout rounds.

After falling 3–0 to holders Pyramids FC in Cairo last week, Rivers United know that anything short of a strong home performance could derail their ambitions early.

Head coach Finidi George acknowledged in a statement on CAFonline that there is pressure on his side but insisted the players are mentally ready to deliver.

“We owe it to our fans to rise up to the occasion and get a result against RS Berkane,” Finidi said.
“We did well for 50 minutes against Pyramids and then lost concentration. We cannot afford to do that tomorrow(this Friday). We have the players that can get the job done and I believe they will step up.”

Midfielder Temple Emekayi echoed his coach’s determination, admitting that playing home matches away from their traditional base in Port Harcourt has been far from ideal.

“Although we would have been happier playing in front of our own fans in Port Harcourt, this is a situation beyond us and we just have to make the best of it,” Emekayi said.

“It is incumbent on us, the players, to rise from the defeat to Pyramids in Cairo and get a good result against RS Berkane. We will go in there and give our very best.”

Despite opening their campaign with a confident win over Power Dynamos, RS Berkane coach Mounie Chaabani insists his side will not underestimate Rivers United.

“Against Power Dynamos, we showed discipline and focus and were able to score the goals that we needed,” he said.

“Tomorrow (this Friday) against Rivers United, it will be difficult because they are a disciplined team as well. We will not underrate them at all. Our goal is to play our game and get a result here. It will be difficult but not impossible.”

Midfielder Rayan Aabid added that the team is unfazed by playing in Uyo for the first time.

“The fact that this is the first time we are playing on the pitch of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium is not a challenge,” he said.
“We respect Rivers United because they have been consistent in Africa over the past few years, but we will play our normal game and we believe that will be good enough to get us a result.”

With Pyramids and RS Berkane already showing strong early form, Rivers United must avoid a second consecutive defeat to stay in contention for a top-two finish.

Friday’s clash in Uyo promises intensity, pressure, and a huge opportunity for the Nigerians to ignite their CAF Champions League campaign and keep their knockout hopes alive.

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