Former Nigerian international, Duke Udi has said that Rivers United still have a chance of qualifying to the semifinals of the CAF Confederation Cup. Rivers United currently hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg of their encounter against USM Alger, with the second leg scheduled for sunday.
Udi said he had been in a similar situation with 3SC, recollecting the 1996 final against Zamalek and said that the game is still a 50-50 game.
He also said that it’s normal for people to write teams off when the second leg is away at a North African side, but Rivers United have the experience in continental football to execute and get a good result on Sunday.
In his exact words, Udi said:
“I’ve been through a similar experience, our final in 1996. Zamalek vs 3SC. Everyone wrote us off and we only lost 2-1, and ee headed into penalties. If Rivers believe and they’re not a new team when it comes to continental football, they’re not new to it. I’ll put it to 50/50, I’m saying this because African football is no longer what it used to be”
“They should not go there to defend, because it’ll be disastrous. Yes, there’s a goal to defend but don’t let it be your main focus. Away wins are very possible.The experience is why I’m putting it at 50/50, Alger were lucky in the first leg because Rivers did not convert their chances”.
“I still have confidence in Rivers United, they should not go there to defend. If they play naturally, it’ll be hard for Alger to walk over them. I saw Alger against Future of Egypt and i can tell you, they’re beatable. The game is not lost, it’s a 50/50”.
“They need to travel earlier and i wished the club was privately owned and had their own jet, that’s the advantage Sundowns have in situations like this. Rivers United have the capacity to fly the team by private jet as well”.
Rivers United currently hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg and will take on USM Algier, in a return leg on sunday in Algeria with a place in the semi finals at stake.
