CAFCL: Rivers United Coach Optimistic On Club’s Progression Into The Group Stages

0
461

By Onyekachi Chimezie

The head coach of Rivers United, Stanley Eguma, expressed his confidence in his team’s ability to defeat Wydad Casablanca in the second leg of their CAF Champions League final preliminary round encounter.

Rivers United, who are the current NPFL champions, overcame a goal deficit to win against Wydad Casablanca 2-1 in the first leg, which was played on Sunday in Port Harcourt.

Eguma voiced his assurance that Rivers United will be able to defeat Wydad and advance to the competition’s group stage despite the slim first-leg advantage while speaking to the media after the match.

“It’s tight but I am very optimistic, it’s a game of football. If you look at the standard of the game, Wydad AC was not far better than us.

“All we need to do is to summon the courage and then make our tactical plans on how to play them in Morocco. It’s a difficult terrain but it’s football, it’s not mathematics,” Eguma said.

Rivers United go into the second leg, bearing in mind that they are the underdogs considering Nigeria’s record against the Moroccan side recently and coach Eguma added that despite the team having the higher odds next Sunday, will hold on to progress into the group stages.

“I know a lot of people will write us off but I want to let you know that it is not yet over.

“Within us, we know that we have a big fight to do and am assuring you that we will not go there to sleep but to work and also put them under severe pressure to see that we get passage through to the group stage,” he concluded.

Senegalese forward Bouly Junior Sambou gave the current CAF Champions League champions Wydad Casablanca the lead in the 32nd minute.

Rivers United then restored parity with Malachi Ohawume two minutes later.

In the 53rd minute, Ghanaian Paul Acquah gave Rivers United the game’s first lead with a precise strike into the bottom corner, securing the Southern team’s triumph.

2021/2022 NPFL Champions Rivers United is on the verge of a first CAF Champions League group stage appearance if they can avoid defeat in the second leg in Morocco next Sunday.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here