Dreams FC secured its first win at the group stage of the 2023-2024 CAF Confederations Cup via a 2-1 win against Nigeria’s Rivers United at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday.
The “Still Believe Lads” lost 2-0 in their opening match in the group to Tunisia side Club Africain and needed to redeem themselves in the second group game.
Abdul Karim Zito, Head Coach for Dreams started with a slightly changed starting unit from the team that started in the loss to Club Africain.
🟢 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
🥁 Introducing our starting XI encounter with Rivers United – COME ON BELIEVERS!👍#DreamsRivers @CAFCLCC #TotalEnergiesCAFCC #StillBelieve☝🏾💚 pic.twitter.com/K2rMLc055l
— DREAMS FC 🏆 22/23 FA CUP CHAMPIONS (@DreamsFootballC) December 3, 2023
Former Al-Ahly & Pyramids FC striker John Antwi put Dreams FC ahead in the 35th minute before Abdul Aziz Issah added the second in the 75th minute, assisted by Agyenim Boateng-Mensah.
Goooooaaaaalll ⚽⚽
John Antwi 😁
JABULALI🔥 🟢🎉👏
DREAMS FC 1️⃣ – 0️⃣ RIVERS UNITED #DreamsRivers @CAFCLCC #TotalEnergiesCAFCC #StillBelieve☝🏾💚 pic.twitter.com/6KAOs4Lm0V
— DREAMS FC 🏆 22/23 FA CUP CHAMPIONS (@DreamsFootballC) December 3, 2023
Goal 😄💥
Our star boy Abdul Aziz Issah makes it two 😄🟢⚪
Dreams FC 2️⃣ 🆚 0️⃣ Rivers United #DreamsRivers @CAFCLCC #TotalEnergiesCAFCC #StillBelieve☝🏾💚 pic.twitter.com/BQUP6h2JEV
— DREAMS FC 🏆 22/23 FA CUP CHAMPIONS (@DreamsFootballC) December 3, 2023
The Nigerians got the equalizer in the dying embers of the game [90+4] through Alex Oyowah after the away side saw the lion’s share of possession in the second half.
Zito’s side managed to hold onto the lead, after a tense end to the second half in Kumasi.
With the win, Dreams FC has three points and ranks third in Group C; Dreams is tied on points with Rivers but the Nigerian team holds a better goal difference over the Ghanaian side.
Dreams next game is against Academia Petroleos do Lobito from Angola on December 10.
The win is historic for Ghana’s representative at this year’s CAF Confederations Cup; Dreams are competing for the first time at this stage after clinching the MTN FA Cup last season in Ghana.
