Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye has charged Rivers United players to sustain the country’s resurgence in African football by winning with the required goal-margin in their last group match of the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday.
The Nigerian flag bearers square up against Dream FC of Ghana in a must-win fixture to emerge as one of the two qualifiers from the group for the quarterfinals. The Ghanaian side are already on 12 points from five games and Rivers United will need a win to tie them on points while head-to-head will then come to play.
Dream FC beat Rivers United 2-1 in the first leg last 3rd December in Kumasi. A 2-0 result for the Nigerian side will place them ahead of their visitors and into the knockout stage irrespective of the outcome of the other group match between Tunisian side Club Africain at home to eliminated Académica Petróleos do Lobito of Angola.
Elegbeleye believes that the NPFL club have the quality to get the job done and appealed to football fans in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, to adopt Rivers United and support them the same way they routed for the Super Eagles when they play at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
“Rivers United is today our national club and on Sunday, we shall all be united nationwide in support of Rivers United.
“Our brothers and sisters in Uyo should adopt Rivers United on Sunday, roll out the drums and fill the stands in solidarity with our national club because they are playing to keep Nigeria among the elite clubs in Africa”, the NPFL boss said.
By CAF club competition calculations, Rivers United must reach the next round to keep Nigeria in the top 12 ratings which will guaranty the country two representatives each in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.
Rivers United staked a bold claim for a place in the knockout stage by defeating Angolan side, APC Lobito 3-2 last Sunday in Luanda.
While congratulating Rivers United for the feat, Elegbeleye reminded the players that a win on Sunday with required head-to-head advantage will make the effort in Luanda meaningful.
“You demonstrated the tenacity typical of the Nigerian last Sunday and must complete the assignment this Sunday on our own soil”, Elegbeleye further charged.
