CAFCL: Rivers Utd battle cup holders Pyramids in group stage opener

By Tosin Omojola –

Nigeria’s sole survivor in this year’s CAF continental competitions, Rivers United, will this afternoon in Cairo kick-start their campaign in the group stage of the CAF Champions League against defending champions, Pyramids of Egypt.

With the trio of Remo Stars, Kwara United and Abia Warriors crashing out in the early stages, the onus now lies on the Pride of Rivers to redeem Nigeria’s image on the continent.

It is, however, going to be a very tough task for the Nigerian side as they are up against the Krunoslav Jurčić-tutored Egyptian team, who will be buoyed by their Super Cup win and a rising spine built around goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shenawy, Walid El Karti and striker Fiston Mayele.

However, they will be without Ramadan Sobhi, Osama Galal and Mostafa Fathi.

Rivers United, on the other hand, will be depending on their defensive sting and renewed attacking intent.

Speaking on the match, Rivers United handler, Finidi George, said that while they understand the enormity of the task ahead, they are focused on having a perfect start in the group stage.

“We’re quite aware of the quality of the defending champions, but we are focused on giving a good account of ourselves, and we hope to come out with a positive result from Cairo,” he said.

In the group’s other tie, CAF Confederation Cup champions, RS Berkane of Morocco, will host Zambia’s Power Dynamos in a reunion pool that also revives their growing rivalry with Pyramids later in the round-robin.