Rivers United in tricky group as CAF confirms Confederation Cup group stage draw

Nigeria’s last representative in the CAF interclub competitions, Rivers United have been paired in a what has been described as ‘Banana peel’ group in the ongoing CAF Confederation Cup.

The Pride of Rivers defeated Libya’s Al Nasr 6-1 on aggregate in the final playoff round earlier in November after dropping from the money spinning Champions League knockout round.

In the draw held in Cairo on Monday, the champions of Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL are placed in Group B along with Ivorian giants, ASEC Mimosas, Diables Noirs from Congo and Motema Pembe of DR Congo.

Rivers United are expected to kick off their group stage campaign on 12 February 2023 with an away trip to face Diables Noirs in Brazzaville.

They will face off with Congolese counterparts Motema Pembe before Ivorian giants ASEC Mimosas for a place in the knockout stages.

Group A: USM Alger (Algeria), Marumo Gallants (South Africa), Al Akhdar (Libya), Saint-Eloi Lupopo (DR Congo)

Group B: ASEC Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire), Diables Noirs (Congo), Rivers United (Nigeria), Motema Pembe (DR Congo)

Group C: Pyramids (Egypt), ASKO Kara (Togo), Future (Egypt), AS FAR (Morocco)

Group D: TP Mazembe (DR Congo), US Monastir (Tunisia), Young Africans (Tanzania), Real Bamako (Mali).