Nigeria’s only surviving club in CAF competition this season, Rivers United of Port Harcourt, will have their hands full this afternoon, as they face one of the most successful clubs in the CAF Confederation Cup, USM Alger.
Today’s tie at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, is the first leg of their quarterfinal encounter.
Considering the tricky nature of North African clubs in CAF competitions, The Pride of Rivers must do everything possible to pick the three available points before heading for the second leg.
The Algerian side, who are the defending champions, stormed Uyo on Thursday without five of their key players, who were said to be nursing injuries.
To get to this stage, Rivers United won all four home matches, but were less impressive on the road with only one victory, a draw and two defeats.
Rivers United is hoping to become the first Nigerian winner of an African competition since the People’s Elephants, Enyimba of Aba, defeated Hearts of Oak 2-0 after extra time to lift the 2005 CAF Super Cup.
To give Rivers United the support they need to cage the defending champions, Club Owners Association in the NPFL are already in Uyo.
The Assiociation Vice Chairman North, Alhaji Sulaiman Umar said all hands must be on deck to propel Rivers United to victory today against the Algerian side.
“Rivers United have done a great job by getting to the quarter final of the CAF Confederation Cup, which has helped Nigeria retain her four slots on the continent,” he said. “This is no mean achievement and we salute the management and players of the team for this feat.
“This explains why we, the Club Owners are going to be at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium enmasse on Sunday (today) to cheer the team to victory.”
Meanwhile, the visitors trained at Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium on Thursday, and were expected to have a feel of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, yesterday, in Uyo ahead of the big clash, which will hold by 2:00pm this afternoon.
