Tag: Rivers United

Rivers United have notified the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that they are reviewing their further involvement in all football related activities in the country.

The club in a press statement signed by the secretary, Ahmed Abdulrahman and addressed to the NFF’s General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi the club revealed that the action became necessary because of their perceived unfair treatment always against them.

“I have been directed by the management of Rivers United to notify you that the sponsors of the team, Rivers State Government is currently reviewing the club’s participation in all football related activities due to unfair actions always taken against the team despite its huge investment and contribution to the development of the game in Nigeria,” the press statement said.

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“Rivers United is by this letter withdrawing the earlier sent letter dated 1^st  May 2024 on the match timing for the 2024 Federation Cup with the subject “Re Rescheduled Federation Cup Round 64 “, without prejudice.”

Rivers United are scheduled to face Ikukuoma FC today in the Round of 64 of the President’s Federation Cup in Aba but it is yet to be confirmed if they will be around to honour it in the light of the recent developments.

Nigeria‘s lone survivor on the continent, Rivers United, have crashed out of the CAF Confederation Cup after losing 2-1 on aggregate to USM Alger of Algeria.

The Port-Harcourt based Nigerian side lost their crucial 2-0 away to their Algerian counterpart late Sunday night despite having a 1-0 first leg advantage.

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USM Alger scored a goal each in either half of the encounter as Malian

Abdoulaye Kanou registered his brace in the 37th and 74th minute   

Rivers United Technical Manager, Stanley Eguma, has expressed dissatisfaction over his side’s inability to secure a comfortable lead ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup Quarter final, second leg tie against USM Alger of Algeria.

The Pride of Rivers secured a 1-0 victory over the Algerian side at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Sunday but Eguma reckoned that his players were presented with several chances which they failed to utilise.

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Augustine Okejepha recorded the game’s lone goal in the first-leg quarter-final match in the 10th minute and Eguma, in a post-match interview, acknowledged the need for his boys to lift up to the billings and convert the chances they have better in Algiers during the return leg.

“Despite our efforts to create scoring chances, we struggled to convert them. We will analyse our performance and work on enhancing our finishing,” Eguma said.

“Securing the victory is crucial, and we are grateful for that. Our focus now shifts to the away fixture in Algeria, where we aim for a better outcome.”

The return leg is scheduled to take place at the Stade du Juliet next Sunday in Algiers.

Nigeria’s  only surviving team in this year’s  continental cup campaign, Rivers United, have  been handed a tough CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal  tie against holders USM Alger  of Algeria.

Fate of the last eight clubs in the  CAF Confederation Cup  was outlined through the draw of the knockout stages of the competition in Cairo yesterday.

The draw produced interesting outcomes, with all four competition champions (USM Alger, RS Berkane, Stade Malien, RS Berkane) avoiding each other in the quarter-finals.

Headlining the draw outcome is an Egyptian derby that is on the cards in the first fixture of the Quarter-Finals, as Modern Future take on 2019 champions, Zamalek who are yearning for a continental title since.

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The second quarter-final sees Libya’s Abu Salem facing an uphill task against two-time champions, RS Berkane of Morocco who are in search of a third continental title since their 2020 and 2022 triumphs.

Champions in the 2009 edition, Stade Malien are back in the knockout stages of the competition and are aiming for a second title when they face Ghana’s Dreams FC who will be looking at causing an upset against their more fancied opponent.

Meanwhile, Rivers United, who are yet to taste continental success are up against reigning champions, USM Alger who not only lifted the title last season, but went on to defeat Al Ahly  in the CAF Super Cup final.

Rivers United will host the first leg in Nigeria, while the return leg match will be played in Algeria.

The two legs of the quarterfinal will be played between March 31 and April 7, 2024.

No Nigerian club have won this competition since it was founded in 2004.

• By Paul Onehi

Minister of Sports Development  Senator John  Owan Enoh as well as Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye, have both applauded  River United for reaching the quarter finals of the 2023/24 CAF Confederation Cup following a 2-1 defeat of Dreams FC of Ghana in the last group fixture in Uyo.

Rivers United finished second behind the Ghanaian side on same points but on inferior goals deficit with Club Africain of Tunisia dropping to third after a 1-1 draw with APC Lobito of Angola.

“Rivers United’s qualification for the quarterfinals is a testament to the strength and quality of Nigerian football,”  Enoh  said  in a release signed  by his Special  Adviser (Media) , Diana-Mary Nsan.

He added:  “ It is a victory that resonates beyond the boundaries of Rivers State, showcasing the talent and determination of our players. I congratulate the team on this milestone and urge them to continue representing our nation with pride and distinction. This time, focus must remain in place, as well as the hunger to go all the way.”

Elegbeleye, in a congratulatory message, said  Rivers United success has added to the recent revival of the nation’s football even as he commended the club for the win which sustained Nigeria’s standing in country ratings in CAF club competitions.

“The victory of Rivers United and their qualification for the knockout stage is very significant because it has guaranteed Nigeria two places each in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

“We are very delighted that the Club has sustained the country’s recent good runs in football since the coming of the Ibrahim Gusau led NFF Board,” Elegbeleye declared.

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He assured Rivers United of the continued support of the NPFL Board in whichever way its assistance is required to ensure that Nigeria wins the competition.

“Rivers United is a worthy ambassador of the NPFL and we are very proud of their performance which also has rubbed of positively on the quality standard and competitiveness of our league,” Elegbeleye noted.

Rivers United will now face any of the three of USM Alger of Algeria, Zamalek of Egypt or RS Berkane of Morocco in the last eight in a home and away legs knockout games.

Rivers United have qualified for the quarter finals of the CAF Confederation Cup following their 2-1 home win over Dreams FC of Ghana in the last group tie played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

The Pride of Rivers needed to better the 2-1 scoreline they recorded against the Ghanaian opposition in the first leg to edge them on the head-to -head rule in case Club Africain of Tunisia beat Academica Petroleos do Lobito of Angola expectedly in Tunis.

But Rivers United started  the game well  on the back- foot in the 39th  minute when Abdul Aziz Issah scored to put the visitors in the lead to the chagrin of the fans at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

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But  they  came back in the second half through Deputy Echeta’s header from close range in the 61st  minute. But they still needed two more goals to be on safe side and halt permutations.

Dreams FC proved stubborn until Kazie Enyinnaya scored in the 10th  minute of the additional time through Kazie Enyinnaya to put the hosts ahead for the first time in the game. 

The game ended 2-1 in favour of Rivers United as they  managed to qualify to the next round when result filtered in from Tunis that Academica Petroleos do Lobito played a 1-1 draw against Club Africain in Tunis. 

It was an unexpected result because the Angolan side lost all their opening five games in the group stage before saving the best for last against Club Africain. The Tunisian side would have topped the group on better head to head had they won the game. 

With the completion of the group stage, Dreams FC topped Group C with 12 points and better goals difference ahead of Rivers United who finished in second spot with 12 points also.

Club Africain ended the group stage with 10 points while Academica Petroleos do Lobito are last in the group with one point.

Rivers United Captain, Nyima Nwagua , said the vital win they got in Angola over Academica Petroleos do Lobito has put them in the right stead for a  quarter final ticket in the CAF Confederation Cup competition.

He  expressed satisfaction that his side picked all three points away from home against Academica Petroleos Do Lobito at Estádio 11 de Novembro (Luanda) Angola and he stated that his next target is to ensure they get the ticket to the next round.

“In football anything can happen, however, my teammates and I will do everything within our powers and abilities to go all the way to the finals of the competition,” Nwagua disclosed.

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Rivers United will face Dreams FC on March 3^rd  at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo with a 1-0 win  or scoreline with two goals margin enough to give them qualification ticket to the next round ahead of their Ghanaian opposition, on head to head rule.

The Nigeria’s representatives are currently third in Group C with nine points from five games behind Dreams FC of Ghana (12 points) and Club Africain of Tunisia (9 points).

Rivers United rekindled their hope of qualifying for the knockout stage of the CAF Confederation Cup following their 3-2 away win over already eliminated Academica Petroleos do Lobito of Angola.

The Pride of Rivers won the first leg in Uyo 3-0 to start the group stage on a good note but their poor away form has threatened to put an end to their campaign until this away victory.

Udom Ekerette scored to put Rivers United level in the 40th minute barely three minutes after the home team had taken the lead through Cabibi who struck from the penalty spot.

Rivers United got the penalty kick of theirs in the 44th  minute. It was converted by Alex Oyowah for the Nigeria’s representatives’ second goal.

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Farouk Mohammed extended the lead to 3-1 just three minutes after the start of the second half.

Academica Petroleos do Lobito reduced the goals arrear in the 67th  minute to make for an anxious end to the game.

Rivers United are third in Group C despite having nine points and they must beat Dream FC in Uyo on March 3 by at least 2-0 to contemplate any chance of reaching the knockout stage.