Confed Cup: Rivers United eye early qualification

Nigeria’s representatives in this year’s CAF Confederation Cup, Rivers United, will hope to take a major step towards progressing into the next round of the competition when they face Congolese side, Motema Pembe, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Wednesday (today), The PUNCH reports.

The Pride of Rivers are back to their adopted home on match-day four after recording a famous 1-0 win over the same opponents in Luanda on match-day three.

Ghanaian import, Paul Acquah, scored the winner for the Nigerian champions, who finished the game with 10 men.

The result sent them top of Group B, with six points from three games, two points clear of second-place ASEC Mimosas and Diables Noirs of Congo Brazzaville, who are tied on the same points but the Ivoirian side has a better head to head record against the Congolese team.

A win for Rivers United in Uyo will see them move to nine points in the group with two games left to play.

Speaking ahead of the game Rivers United coach, Stanley Eguma, admits that his team are well aware of the importance of a good result as they have worked hard to complete the double over the Congolese and secure qualification to the next round as quickly as possible.

“This point in the group stage is very dicey,” Eguma said.

“Every club are doing what they can to earn a ticket to the next round. We know it’s tough because we played the same opponents last week and it was a hard-fought victory for us.

“So, coming back to play the same team at home, we know they will be looking for a revenge, but we are also prepared to get our tactics right to get the victory. We are prepared.”

“Learning from our mistakes in our first game was a big factor for us and it’s the reason we are gaining this momentum and I believe we will keep working hard until we achieve qualification.”

The other Group B fixture will see ASEC Mimosas and Diables Noirs clash.

Both teams are locked on four points, but the Congolese side, who were beaten in Abidjan have a better goals difference.

While they are busy on the continent, Rivers United have had to honour outstanding games in the Nigeria Professional Football League as they occupy a play-off position in Group B with 15 points with a game in hand against Enugu Rangers.