The two Nigeria Professional Football League teams taking part in the CAF Champions League this season have started their campaign on a positive note.

Akwa United and Rivers United recorded 1-0 victories over Algerian club, CR Belouizdad and Tanzania team, Young Africans respectively on Sunday in their first leg preliminary round ties.

Akwa United was the winner of the Nigerian Professional Football League for the first time in August. Still, they could not hold on to some ot their stars including Olisah Ndah, who was sold to the South African side Orlando Pirate. 

Though, they had three of their new players in the starting eleven as they targeted a healthy lead from the first leg. Midfielder Godspower Tower, defender James Ajako and striker Wasiu Alalade were all handed starting roles by Coach Kennedy Boboye.

It was apparent that Kennedy Boboye-tutored side struggle for the most part against their Algerian counterparts until Ubong Friday struck with three minutes left of regulation time to hand the Uyo-based side a slim advantage ahead of the second leg in Algeria next weekend.

In Tanzania, Rivers United proved themselves as the Stanley Eguma-managed club was able to secure a 1-0 win over their host, Young Africans inside the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam.

The Tanzanians created several chances in the encounter, but the pride of Rivers were composed and gave a good account of themselves by proving to have the needed quality as Moses  Omodumuke's 51st-minute goal settled the closely fought clash.

Rivers United will hope to finish the job when the two sides meet again in the second leg at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt.