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Johnny Edward.
Nigerian Professional Football League coaches, Stanley Eguma and Fidelis Ilechukwu, have expressed confidence in their teams’ ability to reach the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup, following their ouster from the CAF Champions League, The PUNCH reports.
NPFL champions Rivers United crashed out of the Champions League after falling 7-2 on aggregate to Wydad Athletic Club, while Plateau United lost to Esperance of Tunisia 2-2 on aggregate.
In a draw that took place at CAF’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday, Rivers United and Plateau United were drawn against Libyan opponents in the preliminary round of qualifiers for the CAF Confederation Cup.
The Pride of Rivers will face El Nasr Benghazi, while Plateau tackle Al-Akhdar.
Speaking with The PUNCH, Eguma said, “We have learnt from our mistakes and we will make amends by qualifying for the group stage of the CAF Confederations Cup. That’s all I can say.”
Ilechukwu added, “Trust me, Rivers United, Plateau United and Kwara United showed character, we showed the Nigerian spirit but we will give our best to qualify for the group stage of the competition.”
Rivers host El Nasr Benghazi Nov 2 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, while Plateau United entertain Al-Akhdar at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja same day.
Both teams travel to Libya for the second leg billed for Nov 9.