By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria’s Rivers United will on Sunday April 23, 2023, host their Tanzanian counterparts, Young Africans SC, in the first leg quarter-final clash of the CAF Confederation Cup at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The only Nigerian side remaining in the continental competition also known as ‘Pride of Rivers’, are unbeaten in Uyo, since the beginning of the campaign.
The last eight encounter, which will kick-off by 2pm on Sunday, will be officiated by South African Referee, Abongile Tom, as Rivers United push to become first Nigerian team to win the CAF Confederation Cup trophy.
Last meetings
This is not the first time both teams will face-off in a CAF continental engagement.
In September 2021, Rivers United defeated Young Africans also known as, Yanga home and away in the first preliminary round game of the CAF Champions League.
How their group stage panned out
In the group stage, the Nigerian club won two matches and drew one, as well as got an away victory to finish second, with 10 points in Group B.
Their group stage performance ensured that they book a place in the knockout round of the competition.
For Young Africans, they won their group matches, picking 13 points from four wins and one draw in six games.
After quarter-final stage
The winner of the two-leg encounter would progress into the semi-final to face either South Africa’s Marumo Gallants FC or the Pyramids FC of Egypt.
Recent home forms
At home, Rivers United, who are NPFL defending champions, were last in action against Dakkada FC on Monday morning and recorded 1-0 victory.
Their opponent and defending champions of the Tanzanian league, lost 0-2 last Sunday to Simba SC in a hotly contested Dar es Salaam derby at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, venue for the second leg of the CAF competition.
