Desmond Iwuchukwu
Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt will face the defending Champions of the CAF Champions League Wydad Athletic Club of Casablanca in the first round of play-offs of the competition.
Rivers United progressed after a three-one aggregate score line against Watanga fc of Liberia in the preliminary rounds of the African Elite football tournament.
The ‘Pride of Rivers’ beat their Liberian opponents three nil in Port Harcourt in the first leg tie while Watanga fc defeated Rivers United one nil in the reverse fixture of the preliminary round.
The Technical Manager of Rivers United Stanley Eguma while speaking to newsmen after their encounter in Liberia assured their supporters that the team will give their all against Champions League title holders Wydad AC of Morocco.
Stanley Eguma insisted that his lads will work harder ahead of their next game against African champions Wydad Athletic Club of Casablanca to stand any chance of making it to the group stage of the competition.
”We’ve to work very hard, we have to improve on our performance so far. It’s going to be a big game because the champions of Africa will be a very difficult game. I think we’re equal to the task. We have all it takes. The players are in high spirits. I believe with the motivation of the State Government, the sky will be our limit. I’m quite optimistic that we’ll cross the hurdles of Wydad AC and go beyond the group stages of the competition.” he said.
In the meantime, the General Manager of Rivers United Football Club Okey Kpalukwu believes the Port Harcourt-based club has the quality to overcome champions Wydad Casablanca.
The Nigerian representatives will host Wydad Casablanca in the first leg of the next round at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium on October 9, 2022, and travel for the reverse fixture a week later in Casablanca, Morocco.
“It’s going to be a very tough clash against the defending champions, but I want to assure Rivers people and Nigerians that Rivers United have got the quality, support, and backing to qualify into the group stage of the competition,” he said.
