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By Abiodun Adewale.
Ahead of their quarter-final clash against Young Africans in the CAF Confederation Cup on April 23, players of Rivers United football club are anticipating the return of the team to the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, pending the approval of CAF, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Rivers United played all their group matches in the competition at the adopted Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, after the Nigeria Football Federation reportedly responded late to a stadium inspection directive, but their home ground in Port Harcourt has now been inspected in time by NFF’s CAF stadium inspector, Nasir Jubril ahead of the next round.
Ghanaian import and the club’s highest goal scorer so far in the competition, Paul Acquah said, “It is a good one for us. Coming back to our home grants us more support and playing against Young Africans is not a big problem for us because we have played them before.”
Striker and two goals hero against Diables Noirs in their last home game in Uyo, Nyima Nwagua, acknowledged the presence of the impact of the fans in Uyo despite playing away from home but he believes the atmosphere in Port Harcourt will still be different.
“The support was always there anytime we played in Uyo but playing in front of our fans will be great because the difference will still be there. Uyo or Port Harcourt is still Nigeria and it still feels great that we are carrying the Nigerian dream in the competition,” Nwagua said.
Left-back, Ebube Duru also added, “Going back to Port Harcourt is better because that is where we train and we know the pitch very well. But you know football isn’t just on the pitch, the support will be more in Port Harcourt because. Regardless of how good Uyo was, there is nothing like your home ground and we are looking forward to approval. We hope everything works out for us, so we can go beyond the quarter-final.”
Also, the chairman of the club’s supporters, Franklin Owhor, assured that the group will mobilise more support for the team while he is also confident that the Pride of Rivers can reach the final of the competition.
“I think they have put a lot of things in order for the team to return home. Uyo has really favoured Rivers United in all competitions and the fans over there have made the club their own too. When we get the approval, we are sure that more people who could not go to Uyo will now be able to watch in Port Harcourt while we also expect the fans in Uyo to come enjoy the game with us as well. I am very confident that we can progress in the competition. It is not in our character to be eliminated,” Owhor said.
Rivers United and Young Africans met in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League in 2021 and won both legs 1-0.
