The group stage line-up for the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup is complete, with Nigeria\u2019s Rivers United confirming their place at the weekend.
\nThe Pride of Rivers drew 0-0 away to Rwanda\u2019s Rayon Sports at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Saturday, completing a 2-0 aggregate win in the playoff tie to still keep Nigeria\u2019s flag in the continent.
\nThe first leg in Port Harcourt penultimate weekend saw the Nigerians claim a victory thanks to goals from Emeka Atuloma and Guy Kuemian.
\nThe Rivers-Rayon tie was offset by one week, with the other 15 ties completed one week earlier.
\nUnited join TP Mazembe, CS Sfaxien, Zesco United, FUS Rabat, Smouha, Recreativo Libolo, MC Alger, CF Mounana, Horoya, Platinum Stars, SuperSport United, Al-Hilal Al-Ubayyid, Mbabane Swallows, Club African and KCCA in the final 16.
\nThe group stage draw will be conducted at CAF\u2019s Cairo headquarters today April 26.
\nOn Saturday, Rayon Sports were required to win 2-0 to take the tie into extra time or 3-0 to win it outright and advance the group stage but \u2018Gikundiro\u2019 met an immovable object in the shape of the \u2018Pride of Rivers\u2019.
\nUnited played with a man less for more than half an hour in the second half against a Rayon side back by a vociferous home crowd but grit, resolve and the never-say-die-Nigerian spirit was evident in the gladiatorial display which eventually proved to be the tide that carried Nigeria\u2019s sole survivor to safety.
\nUnited withstood predictable early pressure from the hosts and nearly silenced the Amahoro by snatching a shock lead, albeit an own goal, by Rayon Sports in the 18th minute.
\nRayon Sports head coach, Masoud Djuma was predictably downcast at full time but praised United as deserved winners of the tie.
\n\u201cWe lost to a better and more experienced side today and I want to say congratulations to Rivers United for their qualification,\u201d Djuma declared.
\nTechnical manager of Rivers United, Stanley Eguma also took the time to discuss his side\u2019s progress to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup at the club\u2019s first time of asking.
\n\u201cIt was a tough match but it was what we expected.
\n\u201cWe had a tactical plan and even after we had a man sent off, we did not panic.
\n\u201cI am pleased that we were able to get the job done and qualify for the group stage of the competition,\u201d he said.
\nRivers United thus becomes the 16th and final side to qualify for the group stage of the 2017 Caf Confederation Cup and are the only Nigerian club still left in inter Caf club competition.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The group stage line-up for the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup is complete, with Nigeria\u2019s Rivers United confirming their place at the weekend. The Pride of Rivers drew 0-0 away to Rwanda\u2019s Rayon Sports at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Saturday, completing a 2-0 aggregate win in the playoff tie to still keep Nigeria\u2019s flag […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":150487,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[76,26],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n