The Rivers United team members participating in the Cotonou, Benin Republic CAF Confederation Cup game against Bloemfontein Celtic on Saturday have completed their preparations for the contest and headed to Benin.
The Nigerians are in the driver’s seat after winning the first leg 2-0 in South Africa. The second leg of the first-round tie was originally scheduled for January 6 in Port Harcourt but was rescheduled due to coronavirus-related travel problems.
Following the recent identification of a new variant of the coronavirus (COVID-19), health officials in Nigeria imposed additional restrictions on international travelers entering the country.
Individuals arriving from the United Kingdom or South Africa are to obtain and present a pre-departure permit to fly and a QR code confirming they have booked a COVID-19 test on the seventh day of their trip in Nigeria. Additionally, all travelers from the UK or South Africa are to provide a negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test results from an exam taken within 96 hours prior to boarding.
Test, flight and logistics complications meant that the second leg could not practically be held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium as originally planned and the Confederation Of African Football (CAF) then ruled that the game would be decided at a neutral venue. Cotonou’s Stade Charles De Gaulles De Porto Novo, Benin Republic will now host Saturday’s game.
United’s technical manager, Stanley Eguma is not taking anything for granted despite the huge advantage carved by his side in the first leg.
“We may have won the first leg away from home but nobody here is getting carried away,” Eguma told SPNAfricaNews. “They showed what a good side they are in the first leg but we took our opportunities.
“We will not approach Saturday’s game like we have any advantage from the first leg because complacency cannot be tolerated.
“Our form is good and hopefully, we will get the job done.”
Rivers United are currently top of the Nigeria Professional Football League standings after winning four of their opening five games of the season.
