Fans expectant as Rivers United host Angola’s Academica do Lobito

Rivers United

Nigeria’s only remaining team in the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) inter-club championships, Rivers United, will resume their quest for a first continental title when they host Angola’s Academica do Lobito in the Confederation Cup, which is resuming this weekend.

Rivers United, who failed to get to the semifinals of the competition last season when they lost to Tanzania’s Young Africans in quarterfinals, believe they have everything needed to excel in the competition this season.

Although the Port Harcourt-based side once again playing at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, because CAF did not sanction their stadium for the game, they believe they have come of age and are better equipped to deal with their opponents even ‘away’ from home.

The match will be handled by Senegalese referees, led by Adalbert Diouf, who will be assisted by Djibril Canada and Mamadou Ngom, while El Hadji Amadou Sy will be the fourth official.

Last season, the Stanley Eguma boys won two and drew one of their Confederation Cup group stage games played in Uyo, but they said this season would be different.

To show how serious they are in their quest for success, Rivers United have added former home-based Super Eagles coach, Salisu Yusuf, to their technical team. He is expected to team up with Eguma and Evans Ogenyi to direct the team to success.

Reports from the team’s camp say that apart from defenders Emmanuel Ampiah, Adekunle Adeleke and midfielder Fatai Abdullahi, who will be checked for fitness before kickoff on Sunday, other players needed for the game are fit and ready for action.

Apart from Angola’s Academica d Lobito, Rivers United will also play Ghana’s Dreams FC and Club Africain of Tunisia in Group C for a chance