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.
NSCIA Moronfoye Olayinka Jelili Yusuf Ajasse-Ipo Christopher Odetunde Makama Of Kaiama Elesie Of Esie Aso Ofi George Innih Saba Mamman Daniel Oke-Ode ER-KANG Mining Haleeman Salman Bashir Badawi Ilorin Durbar Mustapha Olanipekun Durosinlohun Kawu Gabriel Fashanu Binta Abubakar Mora Riskat Opakunle Agbarere Sulyman Abdulkareem Amada Jidda Simeon Sayomi Oke-Ogun TETFUND NIPR Omu Aran Esinrogunjo Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone Ajakaye Mahe Abdulkadir TIC NIRSAL Orire Ayodele Shittu Elerinjare Shao Jide Oyinloye Senate Presidency Babaita Omotoso Lawyers Unite Against Corruption Oladipo Akanmu Tolani Bello Taoheed Abubakar Ibrahim Orire Yakub Lai Gobir Mashood Abdulrafiu Agboola Fulani Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq Ibrahim Agboola Gambari Ajibola Saliu Ajia Kulende-UITH Bolaji Gambari KFA Abiodun Abdulkareem Oba Abdulrahim Donatus Ejidike Mamman Saba Jibril Government Girls’ Day Secondary School Pakata Alimi General Hospital, Offa Gbenga Awoyale Y.A. Abdulkareem Olatunde Jare Binta Abubakar-Mora ASKOMP Kishira Samuel Elizabeth Keatswa Garba Ado Sanni Afolayan Soffiyyallah Kamaldeen Kwara 2015 UNIFEMGA Mogaji Aare Kulende Na\'Allah

