The Vice Chairman of the Club Owners Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Suleiman Umar, is appealing for support for Rivers United, Nigeria’s sole representative in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Umar urged a swift return of the team’s home games to the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt to leverage the backing of their fans.
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Expressing his sentiments on behalf of the association, Alhaji Umar stressed the need for Nigeria to engage in diplomatic efforts at the CAF level to facilitate the relocation of Rivers United’s home matches.
He emphasized the stark contrast between the facilities at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium and some of the stadiums used for away games in Africa, underscoring the importance of playing on home turf.
“The most consistent football club from Nigeria on the continent in the last three seasons has been Rivers United, and it’s not a surprise that they’re the only team still flying Nigeria’s flag on the continent,” explained Alhaji Umar, who owns Doma United in Gombe state.
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Similarly, Chief Okey Kpalukwu, the General Manager of Rivers United, echoed the sentiment after the team’s 2-1 loss in Ghana, emphasizing that Nigeria could secure victory in the CAF Confederation Cup if Rivers United is allowed to play their home matches in Port Harcourt.
Kpalukwu highlighted the superior condition of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium and called on Nigerians, especially fans in Port Harcourt, to rally behind the team.
He appealed to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to engage with CAF and seek approval for Rivers United to host their home games in Port Harcourt.
Rivers United competes in Group C of the CAF Confederation Cup alongside Club Africain of Tunisia, Dreams FC of Ghana, and Academica do Lobito of Angola.
With a win and a defeat in two games, they face Club Africain this Sunday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
