Rivers United brought their 2025/2026 CAF Champions League campaign to a disappointing end following a heavy 3-0 defeat to RS Berkane in Morocco.
The Moroccan side delivered a commanding performance at the Stade Municipal de Berkane to wrap up their Group A campaign in style and secure a place in the quarterfinals in their first appearance in the competition.
RS Berkane controlled proceedings from the early stages, using their intensity and width to stretch the Nigerian visitors. The breakthrough came in the 38th minute when Youssef Mehri finished from close range after being set up by Abdelhak Assal. The hosts doubled their advantage five minutes later as Senegalese forward Paul Bassene capitalised on good work down the left by Mounir Chouiar to make it 2-0 before the break.
Rivers United struggled to cope with Berkane’s pressing and found it difficult to create meaningful opportunities in attack. Their defensive problems continued early in the second half when Bassene struck again in the 53rd minute, heading home from Ismael Kandouss’s delivery to put the result beyond doubt.
Berkane dominated statistically as well, enjoying 55 percent possession and registering 22 shots, six of which were on target. In contrast, Rivers United managed only four attempts and failed to record a single shot on goal. The Moroccan side comfortably managed the remainder of the match, rotating players from the bench while maintaining their clean sheet.
The defeat caps a miserable continental campaign for Rivers United, who conceded 13 goals and scored just twice in the group stage. They lost five matches and picked up only one point, finishing bottom of the group.
RS Berkane now shift attention to domestic action in the Botola Pro with an away fixture against Renaissance Club Zemamra, while Rivers United return to Nigeria to resume NPFL duties with a home clash against Enyimba as they aim to recover from their continental disappointment.
