2022/2023 CAF Champions League & Confederation Cup Fixtures

Earlier today, the draws for the preliminary round of the 2022/2023 CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederations Cup fixtures took place at the CAF headquarters in Cairo. 

2022/2023 CAF Champions League

The draws of the CAFCL saw 2022 Nigerian League Champions Rivers United pitted against Watanga SC of Liberia while second-placed Plateau United will slug it out with ASO Stade Mandji of Gabon. The first round fixtures are as follows:

First leg: 09-11^th September 2022

Second Leg: 16-18^th September 2022 

If Rivers United goes through, they’ll face Wydad AC of Morocco, while Plateau United will be up against Esperance of Tunisia. The second round fixtures are as follows:

First Leg:  07^th - 09^th October 2022

Second leg: 14^th – 16^th October 2022.

2022/2023 CAF Confederation Cup

The CAFCC fixture will see Kwara United battle it for a place in the next round by hosting AS Douanes of Niger while Remo Stars will be away at Morocco to AS Far. The first round fixture is slated as follows:

First leg: 09^th – 11^th September 2022

Second leg: 16^th – 18^th September 2022

The winners of the tie between Kwara United and AS Douanes will play RS Berkane of Morocco and the winners between Remo Stars and AS Far will play either AAGBS of Guinea or Nouakchott Kings of Mauritania. The second preliminary round is as follows:

First leg: 07^th – 09^th October 2022

Second leg: 14^th – 16^th October 2022

Tags: CAFCL, CAFCC, CAF, African Football, Rivers United, Kwara United, Plateau United, Remo Stars, NPFL, LMC, Nigeria League

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Drama as NPFL Champions Rivers United Deny Involvement in the Transfer of Rafiu Ishaq to Slovenian Club NK Maribor

Three days ago, news outlets and sports journalists in Africa and Slovenia reported that Ishaq Rafiu has joined Slovenian club NK Maribor on a free transfer from 2021/2022 NPFL Champions Rivers United; subject to official announcement from the Rivers State club, the player was reported to have agreed to the move. 

Just this evening, an official statement from the Rivers United management explains that Rafiu Ishaq is still their player and they are not aware of transferring the player or endorsing his move to any club in Slovenia, hence, the player still remains theirs until official arrangements and agreements between the both parties.

Update ‼️

Kayode Ishaq Rafiu departs from the champions to join Slovenian side NK Maribor#NPFLUpdates pic.twitter.com/JBvNppBFri

— NPFL News 🇳🇬 (@NPFL_News) July 26, 2022

Nigerijski krilni napadalec Ishaq Kayode Rafiu je novi član @NKMaribor. Enaindvajsetletnik je s Štajerci sklenil triletno pogodbo, v Ljudski vrt pa se seli kot aktualni nigerijski prvak. #PrvaLigaTelemach pic.twitter.com/u96x6fdQFx

— Prva liga Telemach (@PrvaLigaSi) July 26, 2022

Developing...
Slovenian side NK Maribor have agreed a deal with Rivers Utd for the transfer of @NGSuperEagles winger Ishaq Rafiu.
Deal signed, personal terms agreed with the player. He's due to fly out to join the team sometime next week.https://t.co/ha8uBkqNdl

— Andrew Randa (@RandaAndrew) July 26, 2022

Ishaq Rafiu joins Slovenia giants NK Maribor - https://t.co/H1Wdf2vh2s pic.twitter.com/Oc1wtowTSq

— Sports Radio Brila FM (@Brilafm889) July 27, 2022

The official statement also reports that the matter has been reported to football governing body FIFA, and that player went AWOL on the club and has absconded without the notice of the parent club; therefore, except the official NPFL window opens on August 1, Rafiu Ishaq remains their property.

Press Statement

Ishaq Rafiu Kayode Remains Rivers United Player - Management @LMCNPFL @thenff pic.twitter.com/UCiQdEGQvs

— Rivers United FC (@RiversUnitedFC) July 27, 2022

As a club, we are not aware of any such purported transfer as the player only absconded from the club and this position has been made known to FIFA thus any acquisition of the player without our consent is null and void.

— Rivers United FC (@RiversUnitedFC) July 27, 2022

We await a reply from both the player and the Slovenian club NK Maribor, who have already presented the player officially.

Ishaq Kayode Rafiu, dobrodošel v Ljudskem vrtu!

21-letni krilni napadalec prihaja kot nigerijski reprezentant, z naslovom državnega prvaka.

➡️ https://t.co/JAltF9GNQL#MiSkupajEnoSmo pic.twitter.com/pXKJMFneOL

— NK Maribor (@nkmaribor) July 26, 2022

Tags: Rivers United, NK Maribor, FIFA, NPFL, Rafiu Ishaq, LMC

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Ogun State FA Cup: A Case of Match Fixing as Goalkeeper Refuses to Dive During Penalty Shootout (Video)

A concerned fan has expressed his disbelief at the theatrics and indecent display of sportsmanship that occurred in the game between Nigeria Football League Club Remo Stars and Nigerian National League side Ijebu United in the Ogun State FA Cup semifinal game. 

The viral video shows the goalkeeper of the Remo Stars refusing to dive but rather, choose to standstill while the Ijebu United player took the spotkick and the player of the Remo Stars skyrocketing his penalty kick to the other side of the stands.

This singular act has raised eyebrows, indicating that there’s a case of match fixing, allowing Ijebu United to take the victory in the game. This incident is under investigation by the League Management Company and according to Ibukun Aluko of IBK Sports, the management of the team will be called for questioning on his podcast show.

Watch video

Tags: Nigerian League, NNL, NPFL, LMC, Remo Stars, Ijebu United, Ogun State FA Cup

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Chaos in Uyo As One Rocket FC Attacks Go Round FC of Rivers State

According to reports, the team and staff members of Go-Round FC of Rivers State was attacked after their game in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Reports by journalists and match observers who were at the venue says that the attack was led by the owner of the club, One Rocket. 

Eye witness reports suggests that the violence erupted after One Rocket lost 2-0 at home to Go-Round FC in the second tier of Nigerian League Football, the NNL. 

Photos of the aftermath of the incident. 

Tags: NNL, LMC, NPFL22, Nigerian League, Go Round FC, One Rocket FC, Uyo

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NPFL: Fans of Kano Pillars Destroy Team Bus of Katsina United

It ended in a goalless draw between Kano Pillars and Katsina United in Match day 23 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata in Kano, and the first home game of Kano Pillars after the 1 year + ban for misconduct was lifted. 

Was the ban enough to instill discipline and good conduct in the heart of the Kano Pillars fans? No. This is because the Team bus of the Katsina United team was destroyed right after the game by fans of Kano Pillars. 

After the game, it was reported that the Kano Pillars fans let loose and invade the pitch to throw objects at the Katsina United players who spotted the incoming danger and hurriedly ran into the dressing room.

No official statement has been issued by the League Management Company yet, but like the disciplinary committee has instructed, no form of misconduct will be tolerated, expect a steep punishment soon.

Tags: LMC, NPFL, Kano Pillars, Katsina United

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