Nigeria's sole representatives in the CAF Champions League, Rivers United, have faced a challenging start to their campaign, suffering a painful 2-1 defeat against RS Berkane in their second group stage match. This loss at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium comes on the heels of an earlier 3-0 defeat against Pyramids, leaving Coach Finidi George's side in a precarious position in Group A.

The encounter against RS Berkane was crucial for Rivers United to revive their hopes of advancing beyond the group stages. The Nigerian club appeared to be on the right track, taking the lead in the 37th minute courtesy of an own goal from RS Berkane midfielder Mamadou Camara. Coach Finidi George's team had a strong first half, demonstrating potential to score more, but ultimately carried their narrow 1-0 advantage into halftime.

However, the second half saw a significant shift in momentum. The Moroccan club, who are also the reigning CAF Confederations Cup winners, intensified their pressure, effectively dominating the play. Despite their resilience, Rivers United succumbed dramatically in stoppage time. Youness El Kaabi scored the equalizer for RS Berkane in the 97th minute from a set piece, shattering Rivers United's hopes of securing a crucial victory.

The situation worsened just a minute later. In a desperate attempt, Rivers United's goalkeeper tried to launch a long ball into RS Berkane's area, but it was unfortunately deflected. This defensive miscue left the Nigerian side severely exposed at the back, allowing Mounir Chouair to capitalize and score the winning goal, completing a stunning turnaround for RS Berkane.

Following this devastating loss, Rivers United now sit rooted to the bottom of Group A with zero points. Their upcoming Champions League fixture is scheduled for January 2026, where they will visit Power Dynamos of Zambia. Dropping any further points in that crucial match would effectively seal their exit from the CAF Champions League competition, dashing their aspirations prematurely.