Rivers United vs Renaissance Berkane 1-2: CAF Champions League Match Report, November 28, 2025

In a thrilling encounter between Rivers United and Renaissance Berkane in Match Round 2 of the CAF Champions League, it was Renaissance Berkane who emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over the Nigerian side.

The game got off to an exciting start with both teams showing intent and attacking prowess. Rivers United took the lead in the 37th minute through Mamadou Lamine Camara, who found the back of the net with a clinical finish to put his side ahead 1-0. The home fans erupted in joy as their team took the lead going into the halftime break.

As the game progressed into the second half, Renaissance Berkane upped the ante in search of an equalizer. The visitors piled on the pressure, looking to break down the resilient Rivers United defense. Their efforts finally paid off in the 90th minute when Mounir Chouiar scored a crucial goal to level the score at 1-1.

With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Renaissance Berkane continued to push forward in search of a winner. In the dying moments of the match, Y. El Kaabi rose to the occasion and scored a dramatic late goal in the 90th minute to complete the comeback and secure a 2-1 victory for Renaissance Berkane.

The result sees Renaissance Berkane claim all three points in a hard-fought match against Rivers United. The Nigerian side will be disappointed to have let their lead slip, but they showed great spirit and determination throughout the game.

Overall, it was a pulsating encounter between two talented sides, with Renaissance Berkane ultimately emerging as the victors in a thrilling contest that will be remembered for its late drama and exciting football.

• Rivers United will play with Power Dynamos. January 23 at 16:00 (GMT), on None.
• Renaissance Berkane will play with Pyramids FC. January 23 at 16:00 (GMT), on Stade Municipal de Berkane.

Rivers United

• Osagie Onisodumeya (6.2)
• Isaac Annor (6.2)
• Stephen Manyo (6.5)
• Ogbu Ogechukwu (7)
• Taiwo Abdulrafiu (6.2)
• E. Nnaji (6.6)
• Bello Babatunde Martins (6.5)
• Wasiu Falolu (6.5)
• Friday Ubong (6.6)
• S. Obi (6.3)
• T. Zachariah (6.9)

Renaissance Berkane

Substitutions:

Rivers United

• S. Obi (T. Otaniyi, 56)
• Friday Ubong (Wisdom Samuel, 56)
• E. Nnaji (Seyi Oguntayo, 72)
• Ogbu Ogechukwu (David Sholumade, 72)
• Wasiu Falolu (Osimaga Duke, 85)

Renaissance Berkane

• Rayane Aabid (Imad Riahi, 46)
• Amine Azri (Zinédine Machach, 46)
• Paul Valère Bassène (Oussama Lamlaoui, 67)
• Haytam Manaout (Y. El Kaabi, 84)
• Ayoub Khairi (Ettayb Boukhriss, 84)

Ball possession:

In a riveting encounter between Rivers United and Renaissance Berkane, ball possession was keenly contested with Rivers United controlling 41% of the play, while Renaissance Berkane dominated with 59%.

Rivers United displayed their attacking prowess by mustering a total of 12 shots, with 4 of them finding the target. The standout performer in front of goal for Rivers United was none other than Bello Babatunde Martins, who was relentless in his pursuit of breaking the deadlock.

On the other hand, Renaissance Berkane showcased their offensive intent by unleashing 13 shots, with 5 of them testing the opposition goalkeeper. Zinédine Machach stood out for Renaissance Berkane, showcasing his clinical finishing ability by hitting the target consistently.

In a match characterized by end-to-end action, both teams demonstrated their attacking flair, resulting in a thrilling spectacle for the spectators. The match statistics highlight the competitive nature of the game, with both sides leaving nothing to chance in their quest for victory.

Passes:

In a thrilling encounter between Rivers United and Renaissance Berkane, passing accuracy played a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the match. Ogbu Ogechukwu of Rivers United demonstrated exceptional precision with a remarkable pass accuracy of 94% from a total of 34 passes. This enabled Rivers United to maintain possession and control the tempo of the game effectively.

On the opposing side, Haytam Manaout of Renaissance Berkane also showcased his passing prowess with an impressive pass accuracy of 83% out of 49 total passes. Despite facing tough opposition, Manaout’s ability to distribute the ball accurately contributed to Berkane’s attacking threat and build-up play throughout the match.

However, it was the creative flair of Wasiu Falolu from Rivers United and Zinédine Machach from Renaissance Berkane that added an extra dimension to the game. Falolu and Machach each provided 2 key passes, unlocking the opposition’s defense and creating goal-scoring opportunities for their respective teams.

Overall, the battle of passing accuracy between Ogbu Ogechukwu and Haytam Manaout, supported by the creative contributions of Wasiu Falolu and Zinédine Machach, added an intriguing dynamic to the match. Rivers United and Renaissance Berkane showcased their technical abilities and tactical awareness, making for an engaging and closely contested encounter that delighted fans and kept viewers on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

Defense:

In a closely contested match between Rivers United and Renaissance Berkane, defensive prowess took center stage as both teams displayed resilience and tactical acumen. Rivers United emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win, thanks in large part to their stellar defensive performance.

The match was characterized by intense battles for possession and strategic positioning, with interceptions and blocks playing a crucial role in shaping the outcome. Rivers United showcased their defensive solidity by recording an impressive total of 13 interceptions, with Bello Babatunde Martins leading the way with 4 interceptions. On the other hand, Renaissance Berkane managed 10 interceptions, with Abdelhak Assal standing out with 2 interceptions.

Despite Rivers United dominating the interception count, Renaissance Berkane also displayed a strong defensive effort, registering 3 crucial interceptions, with Oussama Haddadi contributing 1 interception. The defensive duels were fierce and evenly matched, showcasing the tactical discipline and physicality of both teams.

Isaac Annor of Rivers United made a notable interception that thwarted a dangerous attacking move by Renaissance Berkane, showcasing his defensive awareness and anticipation. The defensive line of Rivers United stood firm under pressure and managed to repel the attacking threats of Renaissance Berkane throughout the match.

In addition to interceptions, both teams also displayed a willingness to put their bodies on the line with well-timed blocks to deny goal-scoring opportunities. The disciplined defending and timely interventions from both sides ensured a tight and hard-fought contest until the final whistle.

Overall, Rivers United’s defensive resilience and organization proved to be the decisive factor in securing a hard-fought victory over Renaissance Berkane. The match was a testament to the importance of defensive actions in shaping the outcome of football matches at the highest level.

Face-to-face:

In a highly contested match between Rivers United and Renaissance Berkane, face-to-face battles for possession were a key aspect of the game. The leaders in these intense duels were Stephen Manyo of Rivers United with 7 challenges and Abdelhak Assal of Renaissance Berkane with an impressive 10 challenges.

From the first whistle, both teams displayed a fierce determination to win the ball, with Manyo and Assal at the forefront of these confrontations. Their tenacity and physicality set the tone for a hard-fought encounter, captivating fans and neutrals alike.

Manyo’s relentless pursuit of the ball and Assal’s unwavering commitment to every challenge showcased their dedication to their respective teams. Their performances in these face-to-face duels were a testament to their skills and competitive spirit.

As the match progressed, the battles between Manyo and Assal became increasingly pivotal, with each player refusing to back down. Their clashes epitomized the competitive nature of the game and added an extra layer of excitement for spectators.

In the end, despite their individual efforts, both Manyo and Assal were unable to lead their teams to victory. However, their impact on the match through their dominance in face-to-face duels will not be forgotten.

Overall, the showdown between Rivers United and Renaissance Berkane was a thrilling display of skill, determination, and sportsmanship. The intense battles for possession, led by Stephen Manyo and Abdelhak Assal, added an extra dimension to the match and left fans eagerly anticipating their next encounter.

Fouls:

Yellow cards:

• David Sholumade (Rivers United) at 73 minute
• Bello Babatunde Martins (Rivers United) at 90 minute
• Abdelhak Assal (Renaissance Berkane) at 80 minute

The last five games (including this match):

• Rivers United – L
• Renaissance Berkane – W

Top 5 CAF Champions League scorers:

1. Ahmed Atef El Sayed (3, Pyramids FC)
2. Nuno Miguel Valente Santos (2, Mamelodi Sundowns)
3. Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan (2, Al Ahly)
4. Bernardo Dias (1, Petro de Luanda)
5. Abdelrazig Yagoub Omer Taha (1, Al Hilal Omdurman)

Line-ups:

Next games:

• Rivers United will play with Power Dynamos. January 23 at 16:00 (GMT), on None.
• Renaissance Berkane will play with Pyramids FC. January 23 at 16:00 (GMT), on Stade Municipal de Berkane.