Nigeria’s surviving representative in 2023/2024 CAF inter Club competitions, Rivers United were on Friday drawn against Tunisian side Club Africain in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.
In the draws conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa, Rivers United who defeated Burkina Faso side Etoile Filante to reach this stage of the competition will also face Ghanaian side Dreams FC and APC Lobito of Angola in Group C.
Rivers United who reached the quarter final stage of the competition last season were placed in Pot A ahead of Friday’s draw which meant they avoided meetings with top guns including defending champions USM Alger of Algeria and former champions Zamalek of Egypt and RS Berkane of Morocco.
Coached by Stanley Eguma, Rivers United were also drawn in the same group with Club Africain in the same competition six years ago with the Tunisian side beating United home and away which culminated in the Nigerians finishing bottom of their group. They will hope for a better fortune this time.
Having reached the group stage of the competition, Rivers United have improved Nigeria’s coefficient ranking in the CAF Inter Club system but will be hoping to further strengthen it by going as far as possible in the competition.
The group stage of the competition is expected to commence on the weekend of November 26 with Rivers United hosting Academica Petroleos do Lobito of Angola at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The first three group stage games will be played in three consecutive weekends between November ending and mid-December, meaning that domestic activities for participating clubs is expected to take a hit.
FULL DRAWS
Group A – USMA (ALG), Future FC (EGY), Supersport United (RSA), Al Hilal Benghazi (LBY)
Group B – Zamalek (EGY), Sagrada Esperança (ANG), Academie SOAR, Abu Salim (LBY)
Group C – Rivers United (NGR), Club Africain (TUN), Dreams FC (GHA) APC Lobito (ANG)
Group D – RS Berkane (MAR), Diables Noirs (CGO), Stade Malien (MLI), Sekukhune United (RSA)
