Nigeria’s Rivers United have vowed to give their all and complete the job as they face defending champions Wydad Athletic Club in the return tie of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round fixture in Casablanca.
Rivers won the first leg 2-1 at home and they will assure themselves of a maiden place in the group phases with at least a draw in a tough hunting ground in Casablanca.
Wydad have been formidable at their home turf and they will be keen to overturn the result, pushed on by their passionate crowd.
But Rivers have vowed not to walk into the pitch with fear in their loins, but instead have said they will give a fight to make history for themselves.
Left back Ebere Duru, one of the standout players at Rivers said they will be keen to continue with the job they did in the first leg, insisting on teamwork and togetherness to push them beyond the odds.
“In the first leg, we had a lot of team spirit and determination and we knew what was a t stake. We came to fight and we got the desired victory,” Duru said in an interview with CAF Online.
“We believe that we can complete the job away from home. We will come all out and fight to the end. It is a game of 90 minutes and we will give our all. We know what we are going to face there, so we have prepared both physically and mentally,” he added.
Casablanca a tough stadium
He also notes; “Casablanca stadium is a tough one but we won’t allow it to affect our game plan.”
Rivers, a club founded in 2016 are keen to make their first ever group stage appearance, and what a story it would be if they do so against the defending champions.
Meanwhile in Tunisia, compatriots Plateau United will also be up to the task of drowning a giant when they take on Esperance du Tunis, with a 2-1 lead from the first leg.
Just like Rivers, Plateau know what awaits them in North Africa, but are pumping in their confidence to ensure they are ready for the task ahead.
Skipper Daniel Itodo believes they have what it takes to cause an upset.
“I believe in the team and the coaches we have and I know we are going to cause an upset in Tunis and get a win. We are well prepared both physically, psychologically and spiritually ready for the task ahead, we know what we are going to face intimidation from their fans but we are ready,” he said.
Itodo has said the victory in the first leg was down to self belief and fighting spirit, especially noting they were first to concede.
“We fought till the end and that is what we are taking to Tunis. We are not ready to give up,” he adds.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login