While Rivers United, champions of the 2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League on Sunday defeated Liberian champions Watanga FC 3-0 in the first leg of the CAF Champions League qualifying match, Kwara United in Lagos recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over AS Douanes in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Knowing a big win is all they needed at home before heading away for the second leg in the preliminary rounds, both Nigerian clubs displayed impressive performances to brush aside their opponents to put themselves on the brink of qualifying for CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup

At the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, the Pride of Rivers wasted little time in making their superiority count as the home side came close to scoring twice in the opening five minutes.

They were however rewarded for the early dominance in the eighth minute after Kenechukwu Agu scored the first goal of the evening to put the home side in control.

Ten minutes later, the hosts doubled their lead following a nice assist from Paul Acquah, who set up Ebube Duru to fire in a fierce drive from 20 yards out.

Acquah then turned from provider to goalscorer in first-half stoppage time to increase Rivers United's lead.

Despite creating several goalscoring opportunities after the break, the reigning Nigerian champions could not build on the excellent first-half performance – as the encounter finished three-nil.

The second leg is scheduled for next weekend (September 18) at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia.

Rivers United will advance to the next round of the competition if they avoid defeat or lose by not more than two goals.

Also in Lagos, Paul Samson put Kwara in front against Niger cup winners AS Douanes in the fifth minute.

Wasiu Jimoh scored Kwara United second goal from the penalty spot after 17 minutes, before he got his brace five minutes from the break.