Issouf Dosso put the Ivorian hosts ahead in the 55th minute after a goalless first half at the Laurent Pokou Stadium. Substitute Douglas Iyowuna equalised in the 69th minute, giving the Pride of Rivers an away goal to take into the second leg.
The return fixture will be played in Uyo next weekend, with listings pointing to Sunday, 13 September at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. Rivers United will be favourites to finish the job on home soil, but San Pedro now know a single away goal of their own would put the Nigerian side under pressure.
The first half produced chances at both ends without a breakthrough. San Pedro were sharper after the interval and Dosso’s finish looked set to give them a slender lead to defend in Nigeria. Iyowuna’s introduction changed the contest. His equaliser means Rivers United cannot be eliminated next week unless they lose, while a draw or a win in Uyo would send them through.
The winner of the tie will meet either Uganda’s Vipers SC or Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou in the second preliminary round. Rivers United reached the group stage of last season’s Champions League and are coached by Finidi George, who has described this campaign as a new-look squad seeking another run in Africa’s premier club competition.
For San Pedro, the draw keeps the tie open. For Rivers United, an away point and an away goal is the result they would have taken before kick-off. The argument now shifts to Uyo, where the Pride of Rivers must convert Saturday’s recovery into qualification.