CAFCC: Antwi brace inspires Dreams FC to sensational away win over Stade Malien
Experienced striker John Antwi proved instrumental as Dreams FC clinched a remarkable 2-1 triumph over ten-man Stade Malien in Bamako, showcasing their mettle in Confederation Cup quarter-finals.
Antwi’s heroics stole the spotlight as he netted a brace to propel the Ghanaian side to victory on foreign soil in the first leg clash in Mali.
The away triumph marks a significant milestone in their maiden continental campaign, underscoring their determination to make an impact on the continental stage ahead of the second-leg next week.
Thev result means Stade Malien face an uphill battle as they seek to overturn the deficit away from home and salvage their hopes of progression in the competition.
Trailing initially to a Yoro Diaby free-kick, Dreams FC rallied courageously, with Antwi leading the charge.
In the 66th minute, Antwi ignited his team’s resurgence with a clinical finish past N’Golo Traoré, breathing new life into Dreams FC’s aspirations.
Buoyed by the equalizer, the Ghanaians intensified their onslaught, exposing Stade Malien’s defensive frailties.
The turning point arrived in the 74th minute when Antwi calmly dispatched a penalty, awarded after Issa Yacoubou’s handball, to complete his brace and secure a vital lead for Dreams FC.
Stade Malien’s hopes suffered a severe blow as Fadi Sidiki Coulibaly received a red card, reducing his side to ten men for the remainder of the encounter.
The numerical disadvantage compounded Stade Malien’s woes, ahead of the return leg in Kumasi next week.
With momentum on their side, Dreams FC sets their sights on the return fixture, aiming to capitalize on their advantage and secure passage to the semi-finals.
Rivers United secured a crucial 1-0 victory over USM Alger of Algeria in the first leg of their quarter-final clash in Nigeria on Sunday.
Augustine Okejepha emerged as the hero for the home side, breaking the deadlock in the 10th minute with a clinical strike from the edge of the box at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Abubakar Adamu’s well-executed assist from a corner kick set the stage for Okejepha’s decisive goal, putting the home side in the lead early in the match.
Despite USM Alger’s efforts to contain Rivers United, the Nigerian team’s physical dominance proved to be a significant factor throughout the game.
USM Alger struggled to match the intensity of their opponents who looked eager to score more goals.
However, the arrival of rain after 70 minutes provided a brief respite for the Algerian side, allowing them to regroup and minimize the damage to a single-goal deficit by the final whistle.
Looking ahead to the second leg in Algiers on April 7, USM Alger face an uphill battle as they seek to overturn the deficit and secure passage to the semi-finals.
With home advantage on their side, USM Alger will be determined to mount a strong comeback and keep their hopes alive in the competition but judging by the performance of Rivers United, they will also put up a strong challenge in Algiers next week.
The stakes are high for USM Alger, with qualification to the next round offering an opportunity to continue their title defence and pursue continental glory.
In the event of qualification, the overall winner of this tie will face the winner of the double confrontation between Abu Salim and RS Berkane in the semi-final.
