October, 6 2023.
The pathway for Rivers United to the 2023/24 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup glory has been reasonably marked out, following the Draws for the group phases of both of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) two Inter-club Championships, held on Friday at headquarters of the governing body, in Cairo, Egypt.
Of all four Nigerian teams that were entered for the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup; Rivers United are the only surviving side, still on the continent, and they were drawn in Group C of the continent's second tier football club championship.
Rivers United advanced to the money spinning group phase, by holding Etoile Filante du Ougadougou goalless in Yamaussukoro, Côte d'Ivoire; before beating them 2-0 in Port Harcourt on Sunday for a 2-0 aggregate victory.
The “Pride of Rivers” will in Group C, contend with Tunisian side, Club Africain; Dreams FC of Ghana and APC Lobito of Angola; and the two top teams from the group stage will automatically progress to the quarter-final of the competition.
Rivers United were quarterfinalists of this same competition last year, losing their bid to reach the semifinals, after losing 0-2 on goals aggregate to Tanzanian giants, Young Africans, who eventually made it to the final, before losing to USM Alger of Algeria.
Full Draw 2023/24 CAF Confederation Cup
Group A – USM Alher (ALG), Future FC (EGY), Supersport United (RSA), Al Hilal Benghazi (LBY)
Group B – Zamalek SC (EGY), Sagrada Esperança (ANG), Academie SOAR, Abu Salim (LBY)
Group C – Rivers United (NGR), Club Africain (TUN), Dreams FC (GHA) APC Lobito (ANG)
Group D – RS Berkane (MAR), Diables Noirs (CGO), Stade Malien (MLI), Sekukhune United (RSA).
The group stage clashes of both championships, will commence on November 26.
Likewise, the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League draw, threw up some mouthwatering fixtures, and promising excitement for fans, as the sixteen (16) elitist sides, named below fight to reach the final.
TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Group Stage Draw Results:
GROUP A: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Pyramids FC (Egypt), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania)
GROUP B: Wydad AC (Morocco), Simba SC (Tanzania), ASEC Mimosas (Côte d’Ivoire), Jwaneng Galaxy (Botswana)
GROUP C: Esperance (Tunisia), Atletico Petroleos (Angola), Al Hilal (Sudan), Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)
GROUP D: Al Ahly of Egypt (the defending champions), CR Belouizdad (Algeria), Young Africans (Tanzania), Medeama (Ghana); www.ckdmedia.ng reports.
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