Rivers United manager, Stanley Eguma has predicted two tough matches when his side squares up against Mali’s AS Real Bamako in the preliminary round of the 2017 CAF Champions League.
United travels to Bamako to face the six-time Malian champions in the first leg in February, 2017 before navigating the return fixture a week later in Port Harcourt.
Eguma says the ties will represent a difficult proposition for his side as they look to make a favourable impression in their first ever appearance in Africa’s premiere club competition.
He told club website, “I see the draw to face AS Real Bamako as an extremely tough one because they are a very big club.
“They have a rich pedigree in Caf inter-club competitions and have a history of producing plenty of players for Mali’s senior national team.
“Mali’s heritage in both the Africa Cup of Nations [Afcon] and African Championship of Nations [Chan] defines them as a very strong footballing Nation so AS Real Bamako must be respected.
“Don’t also forget that AS Real Bamako knocked [seven-time Nigerian champions], Enyimba out of this same competition in 2014.”
Rivers United’s first leg clash with JAS Real Bamako will take hold at the Stade Mamadou Konaté, Bamako, on the weekend of February 10-12 with the second leg coming up a week later at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
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