Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
The Rivers United’s contingent for Sunday’s CAF TotalEnergies Champions League 2nd preliminary round 2nd leg clash with Al Hilal of Sudan has landed in Cairo on Thursday evening, from Lagos aboard Egypt Airline
There were 23 players and 12 officials onboard the B737-800 aircraft that touched down at the Cairo international airport at 9:03pm local time.
Sunday’s encounter is scheduled for the 27,000 capacity Suez Stadium in Ismailia Egypt.
Rivers United and Al Hilal played out a one-all draw in the first leg played at the Adokiye Amaesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
In the meantime, Rivers United midfielder, Nelson Esor said the team will put in their best to get the needed victory in the game.
Nelson Esor while speaking to newsmen in Egypt said the team would not be intimidated in Egypt.
”Right now every player in this Rivers State that has come for this trip knows what is at stake. The only thing we own Rivers State and Nigerians is to qualify for the group stage of the CAF Champions League. Whatever it will take us to qualify for the group stage we’ll do it on Sunday” he said.
Rivers United settles rift with SWAN
Rivers State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and state-owned club Rivers United, led by Barrister Chris Green have now resolved to work together for the good of the state.
This follows a peace meeting brokered by SWAN President, Honour Sirawoo in his office on Thursday afternoon.
Sirawoo, also the Permanent Secretary in Rivers State’s Ministry of Sports enjoined the two parties to put aside their differences which was only occasioned by miscommunication and will only strengthen the existing ties between both parties.
Green, on his own part, insisted that there is no love lost between the two progressive entities in spite of the little misunderstanding, adding that he and the club need the press more than the press does.
SWAN Rivers Chairman, Sarah David thanked the President for his intervention and fatherly role at the prompt resolution of the faceoff while also saluting Barrister Green for his good sportsmanship.
