CAFCC: Rivers United vs Academica Preview: Pride of Rivers aim to winning start

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria’s sole representative in the 2023/2024 CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC) will commence their group campaign against Angolan side, Academica Petroleos Clube do Lobito on Sunday.

The journey towards a place in the quarter-final of the second-tier CAF Inter Club competition gets underway earnestly.

The Port Harcourt-based side will meet their counterparts from Angola at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, a home away from home for the Port Harcourt-based side.

With two wins out of their last five games coupled with a loss and two draws, the Pride of Rivers will hope to get their group campaign off to a flying start.

Academica on the other hand has better form with three wins, a draw, and a loss from their last five games.

Stanley Eguma’s side reached the quarter-final last season and aims to surpass previous best feats.

The team will also hope to become the first Nigerian side to win a continental title since 2004 when Enyimba FC clinched the CAF Champions League.

The clash will see two teams trying to find form in their domestic league trade tackles.

Rivers United sits in the tenth position in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and needs to shake off league form on the continent.

Academica is in the fifth position in the Angolan Girabola league.

Historically, this will be the first meeting between the two teams on the continent.

It promises to be an exciting tie between Nigeria and Angola.