March 12, (THEWILL) – Rivers United have been handed a daunting tie against defending champions, USM Alger of Algeria, in the quarter-finals of the 2024 CAF Confederation Cup. The draw, conducted in Cairo on Tuesday, paired the Port Harcourt outfit with the recent title holders, as they aim to become Nigeria’s first African champions since Enyimba’s 2005 CAF Super Cup triumph.
Rivers progressed as group runners-up with a perfect home record of four wins, but struggled on their travels with just one victory, one draw and two defeats. Compatriots Dreams FC, who topped Rivers’ group, will face a west African clash against Stade Malien of Mali in the last eight.
Egyptian giants, Zamalek and Future FC will contest an all-Cairo derby, while Libyan representatives Abu Salim FC take on Moroccan outfit Renaissance Berkane in another north African showdown. Berkane, along with USM, Malien and Zamalek, are previous winners of Africa’s equivalent to the UEFA Europa League.
Both Rivers United and Dreams FC have reached new heights by making the quarter-finals, with the Nigerian side doing so for a second consecutive season. However, the competition has been dominated by north African clubs, who have claimed 15 of the 20 final victories to date.
That territorial trend could well continue, with the Moroccan duo of Zamalek and Berkane – who have two titles in the past four years – appearing amongst the strongest contenders alongside holders USM Alger. Unbeaten Berkane boast the only 100% record from qualifying and group games with five wins and three draws.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
