The deputy chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Hon. Muhammed Buba Jajere, has commended Rivers United for picking this year’s Confederation Cup group stage ticket.
After a barren draw in the first leg of the second preliminary round fixture against Etoile Filante in Ouagadougou, Rivers United laboured to a 2-0 win in the return fixture on Sunday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port-Harcourt to qualify for the group stage.
Having reached the quarter-finals of the competition last season, ‘Pride of Rivers’ were drawn bye and joined the fray in the second preliminary round.
Speaking on the success of the former Nigerian champions, the lawmaker from Yobe State said it would have been another sporting disaster, if the ‘Pride of Rivers’ were knocked out of the competition.
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He said “I want to congratulate Rivers United on their success in the Confederation Cup. I am happy because they were able to save our faces.
“It would have been disgraceful for a country like Nigeria to be without a single club in the country. So, Rivers United really deserve our commendation.”
Hon. Jajere who is representing Fune/Fika Federal constituency also charged Rivers United to prepare adequately for the group phase of the competition.
“Now, it is time for them to go back to the drawing board and ensure that they are ready for higher challenges in the group phases.
“They are now carrying the hopes and aspirations of Nigerians so they have to redouble their efforts to make us proud,” he said.
