CAF Confederation Cup
Egyptian news outlet reports on death threats on Rivers United and visa denial ahead of Al Masry clash
According to a news outlet in Egypt, Kingfut, Nigeria’s Rivers United FC have revealed in a statement that they have been receiving many threats from Al Masry fans ahead of their clash in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Al Masry suffered a 2-1 defeat to Nigeria’s Rivers United at the Enyimba International Stadium in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup playoffs.
Al Masry vice president Mohamed El-Kholy revealed after the game that they would be filing a complaint against The Pride of Rivers for the poor treatment they received during their stay in Nigeria.
As they prepare to travel to Egypt to face the Port Said giants this Sunday, 5 December, Rivers United revealed in an official statement that many of the club’s delegation were denied visas in an attempt to destabilize the team before the encounter.
Attached to the statement is also a number of pictures of death threats from the Al Masry fans on social media, with pictures of weapons such as knives and machetes.
Additionally, they claim that they were informed that Covid-19 tests will be manipulated in order to further weaken the team.
As a result, Rivers United have decided to contact the Confederation of African Football and the Foreign Affairs Commission and the Nigerian Embassy in Egypt to inform them of the situation.
“Egyptian Embassy deny Rivers United visas, as Al Masry continue threats.
“In what is fast unfolding as yet another ugly chapter in African football as Rivers United has decried the antics of Egyptian side Al Masry ahead of this weekend’s CAF TotalEnergies play-off return leg clash in Alexandria.
“The Pride of Rivers raced to a 2-1 victory in the first leg at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba and know a draw or victory will be good enough to progress into the group phase of the competition.
“Ahead of this weekend’s encounter, Rivers United has uncovered plots by Al Masry to unsettle the team, speaking on the progress of preparation, Media Officer of Rivers United, Charles Mayuku, revealed that some members of Rivers United contingent for the tie have been denied entry visa into Egypt by the Egyptian Embassy, including two journalists.
“In addition, Al Masry football club in various official social media posts and their corresponding fans’ comments have threatened to hurt members of Rivers United during their visit. Threat statements like “we will kill you,” “welcome to hell,” and photos of knives, machetes, and flares dominated comments below Al Masry’s official post
“To rub salt to wound, Rivers United has also gotten wind that Covid19 test manipulations will also be employed to further weaken the resolve of the team.
“To this effect, Rivers United has drawn the attention of Africa’s football governing body, CAF in writing, through the Nigeria Football Federation, as well the Foreign Affairs Commission and the Nigerian Embassy in Egypt to this unsavoury and barbaric scheme.
“The team remains focused and are set to jet out of Nigeria on Thursday for Sunday’s action which is billed to kickoff at 5pm Nigerian time.”
Zamalek commenced their CAF Confederation Cup journey with a 1-0 win over Kenya’s Police in the initial leg of the second preliminary round held in Nairobi this Saturday.
Veteran winger Abdallah El-Saied secured the win for the Whites with a precise strike from outside the box just a minute before halftime.
The Cairo giants, winners of the 2023-2024 CAF Confederation Cup title, started the match with relentless pressure on the hosts to clinch victory in the first leg and alleviate pressure before the upcoming return fixture in Cairo next Friday.
“The most important thing for us was to win and achieve our target,” Zamalek coach Gomes said after the game.
Hosts Police FC of Kenya could not breach Zamalek’s resolute defense in search of an equalizer.
Despite notable summer acquisitions, Zamalek’s coach Jose Gomes opted for a standard lineup, integrating young talents in lieu of seasoned players.
“We are now stronger than the previous season, thanks to spending more time with the team and preparing to play in the tournaments that we will participate in,” the Portuguese coach added.
Conversely, Kenya’s Police FC squandered a clear scoring opportunity against Zamalek, missing a crucial chance fifteen minutes before the final whistle, dashing hopes of leveling the score.
Kenya’s Police FC earned their place in this round following a hard-fought 1-0 aggregate victory over Ethiopia Coffee SC.
-Ahram
Nigeria’s Enyimba played a thrilling 0-0 draw with Burkina Faso’s Etoile Filante in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second round tie in Bamako on Friday.
There have been three previous confrontation with Burkina Faso teams and this Friday encounter was the second time that Enyimba had had to face Etoile Filante.
According to facts supplied by Opta Nigeria, Etoile Filante were Enyimba’s first ever opponent on the continent 22 years ago in March 2002. Ever since, Enyimba have played 157 times on the continent; the highest by any Nigerian club.
Enyimba carry their advantage to the return leg to be played on 22 September.
Nigeria’s sole survivors in the CAF Confederation Cup,Enyimba will face Burkina Faso sides, Etoile de Filante in the second round of the competition.
Enyimba drew bye in the preliminary round while the Burkina Faso team reached the second round after eliminating Hafia of Guinea.
Enyimba, second runners-up in the Nigerian League will be attempting to win the Confederation Cup for the first time for Nigeria as they did in the Champions League 21 years ago.
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