CAF: Rivers, Plateau, Kwara handed tricky ties
Following the conclusion of the draws for the CAF competitions, Nigerian clubs have been handed tough fixtures as they hope to make it to the group stages of the continental competitions, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
At a draw conducted on Tuesday in Cairo, the 2022/23 CAF Champions League draw had Nigeria Professional Football League champions, Rivers United, pitted against Liberia's Watanga FC over two legs in the first round of the preliminary stage.
While the Liberian champions are no pushovers, Rivers United are favourites to go through as they hope to make their first appearance in the group stage of the continent's premier club competition.
The Pride of Rivers, as they are fondly called, saw their chances of making it to the group stage of the competition halted last season by Sudan's Al Hilal, having defeated Tanzania's Young Africans on aggregate in the opening round.
An even more difficult challenge awaits the winners of the Rivers versus Watanga FC clash.
The winner of the fixture will meet champions Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco for a place in the group stage.
Nigeria's second representatives, Plateau United, clash with Gabon's AS Mandji in the first round.
If the Jos-based side advance to the second round, they will battle with former winners Esperance du Tunis, for a group stage spot.
As the reigning champions, Wydad are one of six teams given a bye into the second qualifying round of the 2022/23 tournament, billed for October.
Africa's most successful side Al Ahly of Egypt and 2016 African champions Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa also go straight into the second round.
The other teams who skipped the first round are Tunisia's Esperance, who are four-time winners, DR Congo's TP Mazembe and three-time champions Raja Casablanca of Morocco.
Kwara United will face Niger's AS Douanes in the second round of qualifying of CAF's second-tier club competition Confederation Cup.
The Nigerians host the first leg between September 9 and 11, while the second leg will hold between September 16 and 18.
A win for the Ilorin-based club also pits them against a very tough opposition in the form of holders RS Berkane of Morocco for a place in the group stage.
Five other clubs were also given byes, including three-time champions CS Sfaxien of Tunisia and Tanzania's Azam FC.
Cloud Tag: What's trending
Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.
Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Deji Ajani Ilorin Abikan IsDB Adebayo Mohammed Kamaldeen Eleja Gobir Organization Foundation Saadu Gbogbo Iwe Umaru Saro Reuben Paraje Ibikunle Ogunleye Ahmed Idris Mohammed Government High School Adeta Universal Basic Education Commission Ubandoma Of Ilorin Abdulkareem Alabi John Obuh Olosi Of Osi Nigerian Correctional Service KWTV Apaokagi Ilorin West ER-KANG Mining Nigeria Company Limited Segun Abifarin Lateef Alagbonsi Olufolake Abdulrazaq Kunle Okeowo Bolakale Kawu Agaka Lawal Jimoh Yusuf Arowosaye Abdulganiyu Oladosu LABTOP Belgore Gurei Ilorin Talaka Parapo Moji Makanjuola Majlis For Sadaqah, Zakat And Waqf Tanke Femi Ogunsola Abdulazeez Arowona Ilofa Law School Scholarship Shettima Sola Saraki Educational Foundation Ilorin South Constituency National Association Of Nigerian Students Dauda Adeniran Adeshola Kwara Consultative Forum Mohammed Khadijat Kubura Old Oyo Mahe Abdulkadir Ajibola Ademola Julius Saka Balikis Kehinde Sam Onile Monthly Sanitation Exercise Alabe Nnazua Najim Yaasin Abubakar Baba Sulaiman Sardauna Col. Taiwo Moses Afolayan Senate President Kwara TV Adesina Simon Sodiya KwaraLearn Afolasade Opeyemi Kemi Bank Of Industry Alliance For Democracy Post-utme Village Alive Development Association Taiwo Joseph KWIRS Durosinlohun Kawu Abdulkarim Adisa Post Utme

