Rivers United coach Stanley Eguma has described his side’s CAF Confederation Cup playoff clash against Enyimba on Sunday as a ‘good game’ despite losing the encounter 1-0.

Midfielder Cyril Olisema finished off a solo move from winger Anayo Iwuala after 59 minutes to hand Enyimba – who had Tosin Omoyele sent off with 15 minutes left – the advantage in the first leg of a rain-soaked encounter in Aba.

A late fight-back for an equaliser from Eguma’s men proved abortive, however, the experienced gaffer commended both teams for a high quality showing after the match.

“Well, I think it was a good game,” Eguma, a former assistant coach at Enyimba said in a post-match press conference. “Both teams played good football. They showed that they actually wanted to go to the next round of the competition.

“(In) The first half, I think my players played better, despite the rain which almost marred the game. But we were able to cope, played better, had some chances, which we could not convert.

“Then in the second half, we also played but Enyimba got the chance and scored. So, at least, we made effort to equalize but it didn’t come.

“So, I think it was a good game. I commend the two teams for their efforts.”

Rivers United will host the second leg on 21 February at the Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium in Port Harcourt, with aggregate winners advancing to the group stage of the competition, which no Nigerian team has ever won.