Rivers, Club Africain Clash in Confed Cup

Rivers United will face a tough test in their bid to reach the quarter-final of the CAF Confederation Cup after they were drawn against former African champions, Club Africain of Tunisia in Group C of the competition, Saturday PUNCH has reported.

The draw conducted by Zambian Africa Cup of Nations winner Rainford Kalaba and former South African star Hlompho Kekana in Johannesburg on Friday pits the Pride of Rivers against debutants Academica Lobito of Angola and Dreams FC from Ghana in Group C.

It will be the second time Rivers United will be facing Club Africain in the competition.

Stanley Eguma’s side were eliminated from Africa’s second tier club competition by the Tunisian giants in 2017 after they lost 3-1 on aggregate.

The Pride of Rivers have never played against Dreams FC and Academica do Lobito on the continent.

Rivers qualified for the group stage of the competition after defeating Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso in the final qualifying round with Alex Oyowah breaking the deadlock in the 89th minute in the second leg in Port Harcourt.

Stanley Eguma’s side missed two penalties prior to the Oyowah’s winner.

In Group A, SuperSport United will face holders USM Alger of Algeria, Future of Egypt and Al Hilal Benghazi of Libya while Zamalek, Sagrada Esperanca from Angola, Guinea’s S.O.A.R and Abu Salim SC from Libya are drawn in Group B.

Moroccan club RS Berkane take on Congolese team DC Motema Pembe, Malian side Stade Malien and South Africans Sekhukhune United in Group D.

The group stage clashes which will commence on November 26, promising excitement and drama as the fight to reach the knockout phase begins.

To maintain the country’s continental football co-efficient, the Pride of Rivers must get into the knockout round of the competition.