After Rivers United and Dreams were placed in the same Group C on Friday, the fierce football rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana will continue this season in the CAF Confederation Cup.
After a draw in a Johannesburg TV studio, the mini-league is completed by former African champions Club Africain of Tunisia and newcomers Academica Lobito of Angola.
The first games are set to begin on November 26 and the sixth and final round will take place on March 3. The group champions and runners-up advance to the quarterfinals.
Read Also:CAFCL: Two Debutants To Face Al Ahly In Group Stage
With Alex Oyowah breaking the tie in the 89th minute of the rematch, Rivers eliminated Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso in the final qualifying round.
The Nigerians missed two penalty kicks earlier in the second leg in Port Harcourt, and they had trouble overcoming opponents who were down to 10 men after a red card in the second half.
Dreams, a Confederation Cup rookie team, had concern prior to being selected as one of the 16 survivors in the Uefa Europa League’s African counterpart.
In an effort to follow in the footsteps of their countrymen Hearts of Oak, who won the first final in 2004, they defeated Milo of Guinea and Kallon of Sierra Leone by final scores of 3-2 each.
After winning the African championship in 1991, Club Africain of Tunis has mostly underperformed in the continent ever since.
After being drawn in Group A alongside USM Alger of Algeria, Future of Egypt, and Al Hilal Benghazi of Libya, SuperSport United of South Africa will have to traverse the entire length of the continent three times.
USM won the championship after defeating Young Africans of Tanzania in the 2023 final on the basis of away goals after both clubs had won on the road.
Sekhukhune United, a brand-new team from South Africa, defeated Saint-Eloi Lupopo, a highly skilled African opponent from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to advance.
In Group D, Sekhukhune compete against two-time champion Renaissance Berkane of Morocco, 2009 champion Stade Malien of Mali, and frequent African rivals Diables Noirs of Congo Brazzaville.
CAF CONFEDERATION CUP FULL DRAW
Group A
USM Alger (ALG, holders), Future (EGY), SuperSport Utd (RSA), Al Hilal Benghazi (LBA)
Group B
Zamalek (EGY), Sagrada Esperanca (ANG), Academie SOAR (GUI), Abu Salim (LBA)
Group C
Rivers Utd (NGR), Club Africain (TUN), Dreams (GHA), Academica Lobito (ANG)
Group D
Renaissance Berkane (MAR), Diables Noirs (CGO), Stade Malien (MLI), Sekhukhune Utd (RSA)