CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Rivers United Head Coach, Finidi George, remains optimistic ahead of today’s CAF Champions League group stage match-day 2 clash with RS Berkane of Morocco at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

The Nigerian representatives lost their first match of the group stage 3-0 to Egypt’s Pyramids last weekend in Cairo.

But Finidi has assured fans of the Pride of Rivers people that thunder will not strike twice as his wards are chasing their first three points  today.

“We owe it to our fans to rise up to the occasion and get a result against RS Berkane. We did well for 50 minutes against Pyramids (last week) and then lost concentration. We cannot afford to do that on Friday (today),” Finidi told CAFonline.com.

The former Super Eagles winger believes Rivers United have the players to get the job done. “We have the players that can get the job done and I believe they will step up. The CAF Champions League is a big stage for any player and I believe they all realize and appreciate that.”

 Also speaking along the same line of optimism, Rivers United Player, Temple Emekayi said: “Although we would have been happier playing in front of our own fans in Port Harcourt, this is a situation beyond us and we just have to make the best of it.

“It is incumbent on ourselves, the players, to rise from the defeat to Pyramids in Cairo and get a good result against RS Berkane on Friday. We will go in there and give our very best.”

RS Berkane Coach, Mounie Chaabani, however is not scared of taking on the hosts in Uyo today. “Against Power Dynamos, we showed discipline and focus and were able to score the goals that we needed to start the group stage on a good note. We are happy about that.

“On Friday (today) against Rivers United, it will be difficult because they are a disciplined team as well, from what they were able to show in holding the champions (Pyramids) to a scoreless first half last week. We will not underrate them at all. “Our goal is to play our game and get a result here. It will be difficult but not impossible.”

RESULTS 

Europa League 

AS Roma 2-1 Midtjylland 

Aston Villa 2-1 Y’Boys

FC Porto 3-0 Nice

Fenerbache 1-1 Ferencvaros 

Feyenoord 1-3 Celtic

Lille 4-0 Dy’ Zagreb

Ludogorets 3-2 Celta Vigo

PAOK 1-1 Brann

Plzen 0-0 Freiburg