The Confederation Cup, Africa’s second level inter-club competition, which debuted 19 years ago following the merger of African Cup Winners’ Cup and the CAF Cup has continued to elude Nigerian clubs.
Therefore, as Nigeria’s only surviving club in the continent, Rivers United host the Young Africans of Tanzania tomorrow in their quarter-final first leg clash, there is palpable tension in the land.
It is on record that the inaugural edition of the competition was won by Ghanaian club, Hearts of Oak, who defeated fellow Ghanaian club Asante Kotoko on penalties in the final.
The following season, Nigeria’s Dolphins of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State reached the finals but were defeated by Moroccan team AS FAR, marking the first and only time a Nigerian club reached the finals of the second-tier football competition.
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From 2007 till date, the competition has been dominated by North African clubs except for 2004, 2009 and 2012 editions which were won by Ghana, Mali and Congolese clubs respectively.
The North African clubs have won the cup 14 times with Moroccan, Tunisia, Egyptian clubs winning seven, five and two times respectively. As stated earlier, no Nigerian club has won it but Dolphins which later merged with Sharks in 2016 to become Rivers United emerged runners up in the second edition in 2005.
The 2022/23 edition of the CAF Confederation Cup had initially started with Remo Stars and Kwara United representing Nigeria but the duo was immediately dumped out in the first and second round respectively.
As the competition progressed, the 16 winners of the second round advanced to the playoff round, where they were joined by the 16 losers in the Champions League second round which included Rivers United and Plateau United.
Both teams then carried the hopes of the nation but Libya’s Al Akdar had a different plan as they sent Plateau United parking on away goal rule after the clash ended 4-4 on aggregate.
However, Rivers United ensured Nigeria remained in the competition by defeating another Libyan side, Al Nasr 6-1 on aggregate and progressed to the group stage where they got off to a disappointing start as they fell 3-0 to Diables Noirs of Congo Brazzaville.
The determination to remain in continental football saw the ‘Pride of Rivers’ and now the pride of Nigeria picking themselves up to advance to the knockout stage where they will square up against Tanzanian champions, Young Africans SC at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Sunday, April 23.
For Rivers United, this is a remarkable improvement because they had never progressed beyond play-off rounds in their three previous appearances in 2017, 2021 and 2022.
Buoyed by the goals of Ghanaian import, Paul Acquah who leads the goal scoring chart with 4 goals alongside ASEC Mimosas’ Aubin Kramo Kouame and Marumo Gallants’ Ranga Chivaviro, the reigning Nigerian league champions will take advantage of playing the first leg at ‘home’ before the reverse fixture which is billed for the Benjamin Nkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday, April 30.
Going by the profile of the two clubs, it is obvious that Rivers United who have just one league title which they earned in 2022 will be punching above their weight as their opponents boast of 28 league titles and a number of domestic cups. They have also featured in 15 CAF Champions League editions.
Although they are faced with an uphill task, Rivers United experienced left-full back, Ebube Duru, told Trust Sports that the target of the club is to win the competition.
The Super Eagles fringe defender, however, cautioned that they would take one match at a time as they reach the crucial stage.
“It has not been an easy one for us combining the continental matches and league games but at the same time, it has been a good one for us as the only team representing Nigeria on the continental stage.
“After our elimination from the CAF Champions League, we never relented and we went to the Confederation Cup and we made a statement. Our target is to get to the finals. That is what we are told every day to ensure we get to the finals as this is a life-time opportunity.
“The support had been massive from the club and the government. All thanks to Governor Nyesom Wike for being a blessing to the team and giving us all the support we need. We are doing everything possible to get to the finals and it is stage by stage. By God’s grace, we shall have something to smile about,” he declared.
On his part, stand-in captain and one of the leading goalscorers, Nyima Nwagua, said Rivers United are motivated to make history as the first Nigerian side to win the CAF Confederation Cup.
“It has not been an easy journey in the Confederation Cup but much has been given and much is being expected from us. We are not just playing for Rivers State but for Nigeria.
“We are staying focused and trying to give our best. Rivers United want to send a message to the world that our league is one of the best in Africa.
“I give kudos to the club management and the state government. This is our career and we are playing for our names as well as for club and country. We are at the verge of making history and that is the motivation we have given ourselves to get to the finals,” he declared.
In another exclusive chat, a former Nigerian international, Mutiu Adepoju, popularly known as ‘headmaster’ said he is optimistic that Rivers United will make the nation proud.
“Rivers United should try as much as possible to ensure they don’t concede and take their chances. They have been doing very well and they have all it takes to win.
“The other team is experienced as they have been participating in the competition for many years but that not notwithstanding, Rivers United have the quality and depth to defeat them and qualify for the next round.
“I am sure they will want to win the title for the very first time for Nigeria and we will be supporting them and ensure that their names are written in the history books as being the first Nigerian side to win the Cup. Personally, I am wishing them the very best in the competition,” he stated.
Therefore, all eyes will be on experienced gaffer, Stanley Eguma who has made a name for himself with his technical abilities to work out a winning formula as Rivers United face Confederation Cup jinx scare on Sunday at the ‘Nest of Champions’ in Uyo.
