By Jelili Gbadamosi
Rivers United technical adviser, Finidi George, has expressed confidence in his team’s readiness for their CAF Champions League first preliminary round clash against San Pedro of Côte d’Ivoire.
The Nigerian side will face San Pedro at the San Pedro Stadium on Saturday night in the first leg of the tie, with Rivers United aiming to secure a favourable result away from home.
Rivers United reached the group stage of last season’s competition, but Finidi said the current squad is different, with several new players needing to adapt to the demands of continental football.
The former Super Eagles winger acknowledged that last season’s experience would be valuable but insisted that the new-look team must approach the competition as a fresh challenge.
“So, it’s a new team that we have now. We’re also looking forward to that experience. We don’t have three, four seasons experience of CAF Champions League,” Finidi said during a press conference.
“So, we’re new as well because there are a whole lot of new players in the team.”
Finidi will be hoping his players can quickly adapt and deliver a strong performance against the Ivorian club as Rivers United begin their campaign for another run in Africa’s premier club competition.
The return leg will provide the Port Harcourt club with an opportunity to build on the outcome of Saturday’s encounter.
