CAFCC: Rivers United needs a draw against Club Africain in Tunis on Wednesday to qualify for quarter-final
Rivers United and Club Africain will battle for the top spot in Group C of the CAF Confederation Cup in Tunisia on Wednesday.
Rivers United of Port Harcourt defeated Club Africain of Tunisia 1-0 in Uyo, last week to come within a shouting distance of a quarterfinal ticket in the 2023/24 CAF Confederation Cup.
The ‘Pride of Rivers’, like their opponents and Ghana’s Dream FC, is on six points from three games but placed third on the log due to an inferior goals difference.
Wednesday, they will meet the Tunisian side in the reverse fixture of the tie and need at least a draw to retain hope of making the quarterfinals.
Rivers United’s contingent arrived in Tunis on Monday, ahead of the Group C matchday four tie brimming with optimism. On arrival at Tunis International Airport by 11:16 a.m. via an EgyptAir flight, they were received by top officials of the Nigeria Embassy in Tunisia.
According to the team, the match will kick off at the 60,000-capacity Stade de Rades, from 8.00 p.m.
Speaking on the game, Rivers United’s Media Officer, Charles Mayuku, said that the Port Harcourt-based team was not allowed to train on the pitch yesterday evening due to logistics issues.
“Rivers United received communication from CAF on Tuesday that the team will not be allowed to have their official training session on Tuesday evening at the Stade de Rades, the venue of the tie, citing an intelligence report received from the match officials that the pitch is in no condition to host an official training session,” he said.
Despite that setback, Mayuku said the Stanley Eguma boys are in good shape for a successful game.
“We played against them a couple of days ago and know that they will come out to play this time because they are at home.
“We are ready for whatever they bring to the game,” he said.