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.
Laolu Saraki Ilorin Muslim Community Omupo Rashidi Yekini Kale Belgore Lai Gobir Share Khairat Gwadabe Sherif Shagaya Lateef Fagbemi KWATMA Rabiu Kwankwaso Yakubu Shaaba Ali Ahmad Innocent Okoye CLAY POT Ilorin.Info Hassanat Bello Maimunat Oniyangi First Lady John Kehinde Salako Abdulraheem Olesin Shero Saliu Ajia Ademola Kiyesola Alfa Belgore Abiodun Abdulkareem Ariyo Ilorin Babajide Ajayi Ajibola Ademola Julius Yoonus Lawal Jani Ibrahim David Oyerinola Adedunmoye Waziri Yakubu Gobir LABTOP Afusat Nike Ibrahim Oke-opin Moji Makanjuola Hussein Olokooba Abdulraheem Yusuf Kwara State Sports Commission Isin Sheu Ndanusa Usman Ishola Moses Abiodun Abioye Bello Tunde Yusuf Kulende Imodoye Writer’s Enclave Dauda Adesola Fatimah Abdulkadir Muritala Olarewaju Olaitan Buraimoh Ilorin General Hospital Aliyu Sabi Medinat Folorunsho Salman Kwara State Polytechnic Asa LGEA School Shaaba Lafiagi Amasa Olaiya Zuberu Olayinka Oladapo Jogunola Omu Aran Kamaldeen Gambari Mumeen Lah Convocation Ceremonies COVID Atunwa IEDPU Senior Staff Union Of Colleges Of Education Suwa-Arabs Okeose Christian Cementary Obasanjo Offa Descendants Union Saadu Alanamu Sulyman Tejidini Bola Iyabo Ibiyeye Adisa

