Rivers United forward Nyima Nwagua says his side will make Nigeria proud in this season’s CAF Champions League (CAFCL) which gets underway this weekend across the continent.
Speaking in Port Harcourt on Friday, Nwagua who played a prominent role in the team’s conquest of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) last term says they are not under pressure but are tasking themselves to hoist Nigeria’s flag remarkably.
Rivers United face Liberian champions Watanga FC in their preliminary round first leg clash in Port Harcourt on Sunday and Nwagua, a native of Rivers State says his side have plenty to prove on the continental scene.
“I won’t say there is pressure but right now, we’re not playing for Rivers state alone, we’re playing for Nigeria,” began the burly centre forward.
“You know when you’re carrying the burden of over 180 million people on your shoulders, you have to represent, you have to put in your best and you have to make them proud too.
“So, in as much as I’ll say there’s no pressure, I still feel like individually, we want to challenge ourselves to do better and prove to the world that we are the real champions of the NPFL,” he added.
Rivers United will be without their two topscorers in the league last term Chijioke Akuneto and Ishaq Rafiu for this year’s competition in what is expected to be a huge blow to the team’s aspirations.
The Pride of Rivers, still coached by Stanley Eguma have however bolstered their squad with the addition of several new faces including former Super Eagles midfielder Paul Onobi and Bolaji Sakin who begins a third stint at the club having first represented Dolphins FC in 2014 and 2015.
Sunday’s game billed for the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium is expected to kick off at 4pm with the return leg billed for Monrovia a week later. The winner over two legs will face defending champions Wydad Athletic Club Casablanca for a place in the group stage.
