CAF: Herculean task as Nigeria’s trio face tricky North African foes

Three Nigerian clubs, Rivers United, Kwara United, and Plateau United, have difficult roads ahead of them today as they seek continental glory.

The trio will have to break the supremacy of North African clubs in CAF interclub events who have proved to be Nigerian clubs’ nemesis in recent years.

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Rivers United, the NPFL defending champions, will be up against CAF Champions League and Morocco’s league defending champions, Wydad Athletics in Port Harcourt.

Plateau United are in Abuja and line up against Esperance de Tunis while Kwara United will host Confederations Cup winners, RS Berkane at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.

Incidentally, all the three Nigerian clubs are playing the first leg of the second round at home in Lagos (Kwara United), Abuja (Plateau United) and Port Harcourt (Rivers United).

Rivers United vs Wydad Athletic

The NPFL champions are most motivated following the recent N28 million pledge made by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike ahead of their clash against the CAF Champions League champions, Wydad Athletic

In contrast, Rivers United’s past two qualifying attempts ended in failure at both North African obstacles with the most recent being the  Confederation Cup third preliminary round loss to Al Masry of Egypt, which was determined by away goals.

The second game was in the Champions League against the Sudanese Al Hilal Club, which defeated Rivers United 2-1 overall.

With this history, Rivers United not only face a top team but also a favorite to advance to the group stage. Wydad has not missed out on the CAF Champions League group stage in the last three seasons.

The last time they cam to Nigeria, they played Lobi Stars at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi, where Mohamed Nahiri’s goal in the 20th minute gave the visitors a 1-0 victory.

Plateau United vs Esperance de Tunis

Plateau will have their hands full when they ‘host’ Esperance de Tunis at the MKO Abiola Stadium.

Esperance and Wydad each qualified for a CAF group stage match the previous three years.

Currently, Plateau United are the underdogs versus Esperance, who in 2012 upset the Nigerian team Sunshine Stars at home.

Esperance is renowned for being an all-attacking team in addition to having a consistent playing style.

Kwara United vs RS Berkane

After their performance in 2007, Kwara United has reached the second round of the CAF Confederations Cup where they will play against RS Berkane at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.

Meanwhile, the Moroccans are not in great form right now, having lost their last two games in the league this season.

Berkane are the defending champions and have continental pedigree, which means Kwara United will need a wide goal margin against Berkane to be on a better keel for the second leg.