CAF Champions League is progressing and it’s getting hotter every season. Nigeria’s only representative in the league is Rivers United.
How are they faring? Are they making Nigerians proud?
Let’s take a look at their performance.
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Statistical Review of CAF Champions League Group Stage Progress
Rivers United are Nigeria’s only representative in this season’s CAF Champions League. The team however, has been recording poor performances lately.
In their four matches, they’ve only recorded one goal.
Though they have a strong defence, which is quite commendable, at this point, goals are very important. They need to score goals.
They had a 1:0 home defeat to Power Dynamites which was not a good record for them.
Nevertheless, if they are to qualify for the next round, they need to develop better tactics and strategies to score goals.
Previously, they had played a 0-0 draw against the Power Dynamos of Zambia, earning them one point. However, the last home match in which they were defeated by the Power Dynamos took them lower in the group A.
The Rivers United Squad
Goalkeepers: Osagie Onisodumeya (key goalkeeper), Ibrahim Pius, John Noble, and Ani Ozoemena Henry
Defenders: Nsi Effimi, John Uche Akubueze, Anthony Ohaegbu, Ogechukwu Ogbe, Ochobi Elias, Rivio Ayemwenre, Stephen Manyo
Midfielders: Ubong Friday, Ebuka Akobundu, Bello Martins, Anthony Omaka, Wasiu Falolu, Sylvester Bell, Taofeek Otaniyi, Osimaga Duke
Forwards: Paul Odeh, Joseph Onoja, Emmanuel Nnaji, Wisdom Samuel, Seyi Oguntayo, Annor Isaac, Samson Obi, Chinedu Kelvin Sunday, Handsome Surveyor, Aniekeme Okon, Timothy, Maboma Chijioke, Jeremiah, Maclyne Janwari.
Source: ESPN
A Statistical Review of the CAF Champions League Progress
Currently, they are at the bottom of the group with only one point. They played four games in which they drew one, lost three, and had just one point.
To qualify for the quarter finals, they must win the two remaining games to increase their points. At this point, even a draw is a risk.
Their Performance in Each Game
Their first game started poorly with a defeat to the Pyramids. They lost to Egypt’s Pyramids in a 3-0 defeat. The game appeared tough from the beginning to the end.
Their struggles were palpable. Even the leading line could not register a single shot. The coach, Finidi, blamed the team for their sluggish beginning, which he claimed was what enabled their opponents to score in the first half, while admitting that the team they played was a very experienced team.
He even added that the bad performance of the players helped their opponents to score.
In their home game against RS Berkane, they had started well with a formation of 4-1-4-1. They scored the first goal but later conceded a 2-1 defeat to RS Berkane of Morocco. This earned them 0 points while the visitor, Berkanes, got the full points.
This was followed by the away match they played with the Power Dynamos of Zambia. Both teams ended up in a draw with each team securing one point apiece.
Osagie made some impressive saves which kept their score line leveled.
Again, they played a home game with the Dynamos, where they suffered a bad defeat 0-1, earning no points.
Though they exhibited a strong attacking presence in the field, they failed to score goals.
A Statistical Breakdown
Match Played: 4
Wins: 0
Draws: 1
Losses: 3
Points: 1
Goals Scored: 1
Goals Conceded: 6
Source: africasoccer.com
Rivers United marked a huge milestone by being the first Nigerian club to reach the Confederation of African Football (CAF) competition group stage since 2018. However, as the game progressed, their performance was somewhat disappointing.
What could have contributed to Rivers United’s difficulty in finding the back of the net?
Could it be the double pressure of competing in both NPFL and CAF performance?
Although they seem to have been struggling since the game started, facing very strong, calculated, and experienced opponents, and struggling in results, they have also gained important experience that shows growth rather than failure.
We anticipate better results in the upcoming games.
Also Read: Top Nigerian Players in the EPL Right Now: Super Eagles Power Ranking
