What next for Rivers United after CAF Confederation Cup elimination?

What next for Rivers United after CAF Confederation Cup elimination?

Jidechi Chidiezie 20:13 - 01.05.2023

The Nigerian side were knocked out of the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday, following a 0-0 draw (2-0 defeat on aggregate) with Tanzania's Young Africans.

Nigerian side Rivers United on Sunday got ousted from the 2022/2023 CAF Confederation Cup by Young Africans after falling to a 2-0 quarterfinal aggregate defeat (0-0 in the second leg).

The defeat brought an end to Rivers United's quest to become the first Nigerian to emerge as a continental champion since Enyimba won back-to-back continental titles in 2003 and 2004.

https://twitter.com/RiversUnitedFC/status/1652750526751166467?s=20

The Pride of Rivers who finished as champions of last season's Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and qualified for the CAF Champions League, got eliminated from the competition in the qualifying playoff which saw them drop to the Confederation Cup.

A decent campaign had seen them finish as second in Group B, behind Cote d'Ivoire's ASEC Mimosas and made the knockout stages where they paired up with Young Africans.

However, a 2-0 home defeat in the first leg to the Tanzanian Premier League champions, and a 0-0 draw in the second leg of the quarter-final meant that it would rather be Young Africans to proceed to the semifinal to face South Africa's Marumo Gallants.

CAFCC: Young Africans 0-0 Rivers United
CAFCC: Young Africans 0-0 Rivers United

Following their ouster, what is next for Rivers United?

Attempt to qualify for NPFL Super 6 playoff

The Pride of Rivers will now have to turn their attention back to the NPFL where their participation on the continental scene have left them with a couple of pending fixtures.

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To defend their league title, the Port Harcourt club will have to first, qualify as one of the three teams from Group B of the 2023 NPFL season to compete in the Super 6 playoff.

At the moment, the NPFL reigning champions are 4th in Group B with 23 points from 13 matches and three outstanding games in hand. They are a point, off qualification places for the Super 6 and six off Group B leaders Lobi Stars.

Rivers United's next NPFL matches:

  • Rivers United vs Bayelsa United 
  • Rangers vs Rivers United

Rivers United's outstanding NPFL matches:

  • Rivers United vs Sunshine Stars
  • Wikki Tourists vs Rivers United 
  • Rivers United vs Doma United

Rivers United with a pending heavyweight cup game

Beyond the NPFL, the Port Harcourt club have a pending cup clash with giants Enyimba in the Round of 64 of the Federation Cup.

Should they succeed against Enyimba in the round of 64, the Port Harcourt club will be faced with yet another heavyweight meeting in the cup, as they would face 2017 Nigerian champions Plateau United in the Round of 32.