…as Rivers United hope to continue with fine form in Uyo
By Bassey Ibiatisuho
The iconic Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, also known as the Nest of Champions in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, will on Sunday host the CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinals first leg match between Nigerian champions, Rivers United and Tanzanian champions, Young Africans SC (Yanga).
The Pride of Rivers are unbeaten in Uyo since the beginning of the campaign, winning two matches and drawing one as well as one away victory to finish second with ten points in Group B and earned a place in the knockout round of the competition.
Meanwhile, Young Africans won their group with 13 points from four wins and one draw in six games.
The NPFL champions were last in action against Dakkada FC on Monday morning and recorded a one nil victory while their opponent and defending champions of the Tanzanian league, lost 2-0 last Sunday to Simba SC in a hotly contested Dar es Salaam derby at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, venue for the second leg of the CAF competition.
This is not the first time both teams will face in a CAF continental engagement. In September 2021, Rivers United defeated Yanga home and away in the first preliminary round game of the CAF Champions League.
The winner of the two-leg encounter would progress into the semi-final to face either South Africa’s Marumo Gallants FC or the Pyramids FC of Egypt.
The match which will kick-off by 2pm on Sunday, 23rd April, 2023 will be officiated by South African Referee Abongile Tom as Rivers United push to become first Nigerian team to win the CAF Confederation Cup trophy.
