Rivers United has been applauded 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, the Akwa Ibom State capital, on Sunday.
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 Angola’s Académica Petróleos do Lobito.
In a congratulatory message, Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye said their success has added to the recent revival of the nation’s football.
He also 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 said.
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”, he further said.
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.
