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Rivers, Plateau turn attention to CAF Confederation Cup

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2022 CAF Confederation Cup

The focus of Nigeria Professional Football League Champions, Rivers United, and runners-up, Plateau United will now shift their focus to the CAF Confederation Cup after missing the cut in the CAF Champions League group stage, as they seek to play in the money-spinning group stage of the second tier CAF inter-club competition.

Standing in their way are Libyan opponents, as Rivers United was drawn against El Nasr Benghazi while Plateau United was paired with Al-Akhdar.

The additional second preliminary round of the 2022/2023 CAF Confederation Cup draw saw the 16 teams that qualified from the second preliminary round of the Confederation Cup play the 16 teams that lost the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.

Both matches will be played on Wednesday 2nd November 2022.

In Abuja, Plateau United will hope to take maximum advantage at the MKO Abiola Stadium, where they will face Al-Akhdar in the first leg of their encounter.

Lessons of the painful elimination in the Champions League against Esperance of Tunisia are still fresh in the mind of Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, as his team will attempt to bar the memories against the Libyans.

“We know the importance of this game and we also understand the reason why we did not make it to the group stage of the CAF Champions League. Is very painful for us, but we have put that behind us to enable us to face the future which is this game,” Ilechukwu told Plateau United media.

Elsewhere in Port Harcourt, NPFL Champions, Rivers United will welcome two-time Libyan champions, El Nasr Benghazi in the first leg at the Adokiye Amesimaka Stadium.

Rivers United coach, Stanley Eguma now faces what appears like a make-or-break, after falling short against Wydad Casablanca in the final round of the Champions League play-off.

The team’s captain, Festus Austin believes a place in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup will be a huge consolation for their Champions League mishap.

“We just have to put in a more than hundred percent performance to win the game, because we know how important it is for us and we don’t have any excuse not to reach the group stage. For us to do that, we must win convincingly at home and I am sure we can achieve that,” Festus said.

Rivers United will face off against El Nasr Benghazi by 2 pm in Port Harcourt, while Plateau United will slug it out with Al-Akhdar by 4 pm in Abuja.

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EuroMatch NPFL: Inter Lagos Turn to Olusanjo Olutayo After Giwa’s Exit

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Inter Lagos have appointed Olusanjo Olutayo as their interim head coach following the departure of Shakiru Giwa.

READ ALSO: EuroMatch NPFL: Shakiru Giwa Steps Down as Inter Lagos Head Coach | Sports247 Nigeria

The Lagos-based club announced the appointment on its official social media page, welcoming Olutayo to the role as they prepare for their next fixture in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

“We are pleased to announce Coach Olusanjo Olutayo as our interim Head Coach. Welcome on board!” the club stated.

Sports247 had earlier reported Giwa’s departure from the club on Tuesday, October 13, after he stepped down from his position as head coach.

Giwa was instrumental in Inter Lagos’ promotion from the Nigeria National League (NNL) to the NPFL, marking a significant milestone in the club’s history.

However, the newly promoted side have struggled to make an impact in the top flight this season, with their opening eight league matches producing no victories.

Their latest setback was a 3-1 defeat away to Warri Wolves on Sunday, October 11, leaving them with just two points from eight matches.

Olutayo’s appointment now gives Inter Lagos a new coaching direction as they seek to improve their performances and turn their fortunes around in the league.

The interim coach will face the immediate task of preparing the team for their next NPFL encounter against Nasarawa United on Sunday, October 18.

The match presents an opportunity for Inter Lagos to begin a new chapter under their interim manager as they continue their search for a first league victory of the 2026/27 campaign.

The club has not yet announced whether Olutayo’s appointment will become permanent or how long he is expected to remain in charge.

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BEYOND THE STARPOWER! Why Nigeria’s Bench Stars Just Proved the Super Falcons Are Ready for Morocco!

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When ten-time African champions Nigeria completed a resounding 7-0 aggregate demolition of Comoros to advance in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Qualifiers, headlines immediately fixated on captain Rasheedat Ajibade’s early injury forced by a heavy first-half collision.

Yet, while anxious eyes watched Ajibade make way for Folashade Ijamilusi, the real story unfolding at Ikenne was a masterclass in tactical depth that should terrify their next opponents, Morocco.

Rather than crumbling under pressure after their talismanic leader left the pitch, Nigeria demonstrated lethal squad versatility. After a tense 40-minute struggle, Uchenna Kanu capitalised on an error by Comoros goalkeeper Aicha Said to set up Toni Payne for the opener.

However, the second-half introduction of Blessing Okpe for Gift Monday completely transformed the team’s attacking intensity.

Okpe brilliantly dazzled past two defenders on the flank to set up Payne’s second, before Ijamilusi delivered a picture perfect cross for Kanu to head home. Okpe then drew a foul in the 71st minute, allowing Christy Ucheibe to comfortably convert from the penalty spot to seal an emphatic 5-0 victory.

This ruthless performance sent a clear message across the continent. While media narratives paint Ajibade’s setback as a devastating blow, the bench unit showed that the Super Falcons possess terrifying offensive depth.

The ability of substitute players to step up and dismantle opposition defensive structures so effortlessly proves Nigeria is no longer dependent on individual stardom.

As the Super Falcons prepare for a tricky two-legged third-round battle against the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco, their tactical flexibility will be their ultimate weapon.

Morocco may hope to exploit a captain-less side, but Nigeria’s explosive bench options have just shown that their tactical depth can destroy any game plan.

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