Moroccan heavyweights RS Berkane have arrived in Uyo ahead of their CAF Champions League Group A Matchday Two showdown against Rivers United, set for Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
The North African side touched down on Wednesday evening and moved smoothly into their hotel base, signaling full focus and preparedness for what promises to be a decisive early-stage fixture in the group.
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Rivers United will be under pressure to bounce back after their tough 3–0 loss to defending champions Pyramids FC in Cairo on Matchday One.
On the other hand, RS Berkane began their campaign in dominant fashion, sweeping aside Zambia’s Power Dynamos 3–0 to take early leadership in the group.
Head coach Mouine Chaabani expressed strong confidence ahead of the trip, insisting his team is capable of securing a result on Nigerian soil. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining their early momentum in the competition.
“We are going to Nigeria with the ambition of returning with a positive result. We hope it will be an away win,” Chaabani stated. “We know it will be a difficult match, but our objective remains to go as far as possible in this CAF Champions League.”
Chaabani also addressed minor injury concerns within the squad, noting that key players Murabit and Mehri experienced slight discomfort in their previous match but assured supporters that neither issue is serious.
“Murabit has some knee discomfort, but nothing worrying. Mehri is in a similar situation. Both will be evaluated by the medical team,” he said.
CAF has appointed Senegalese official Issa Sy as the match referee, reflecting the high-stakes nature of the contest.
For Rivers United, Friday’s encounter is crucial. With their quarter-final ambitions already under scrutiny in what many consider the toughest group of the competition, anything short of a home win could complicate their path.
The Pride of Rivers are featuring in the CAF Champions League group stage for the very first time and will be hoping to emulate the historic success of Enyimba, Nigeria’s last continental champions in 2003 and 2004.
The atmosphere in Uyo is building toward a pulsating clash, with both teams seeking a result that could define their CAFCL journey this season.
