Rivers United Players Threaten To Boycott CAF Confederation Cup Tie Vs Club Africaine

Rivers United Players Threaten To Boycott CAF Confederation Cup Tie Vs Club Africaine

By Niyi Busari

River United players have unanimously agreed not to honour their CAF Confederation Cup third group match against Club Africaine, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

The players are supposed to leave Port Harcourt for Uyo on Thursday in preparation for the their important clash with Tunisian club on December 10. The players, however may not honour the match as they demanded for their balance of estacode for their trip to Ghana where they lost to Dream FC in the second group match. They also said their November salary must be paid in full before they can go for the third group match in Uyo.

A source who spoke with www.bsnsports.com.ng and pleaded anonymity said, "Before the team traveled to Ghana for CAF Confederation Cup clash with Dreams FC, the management paid part of the estacode with promise that they will give them the balance after the match. But after losing the match to Dream FC, the management refused to pay the balance saying that there is no balance to be paid after losing to the Ghanaian team.

"Also, the Rivers United players have not received their November salary which the players demanded before travelling for the match. The management said the delay was due to poor performance

"Now the players are threatening not to go to Uyo for the CAF Confederation group game against Club Africaine of Tunisia until the balance of the estacode us paid along with their November salary." The source revealed.

Reacting through phone conversation, the General Manager of the team, Dr. Okey Kpalukwu while speaking with BSN Sports denied the threat to boycott the match by the players. He failed to respond to whether or not their estacode for the match against Dream FC has been fully paid and whether their November salary have been paid.

"My brother, I have no idea of what you're talking about." Kpalukwu told BSN Sports.

"I can't say anything on that because I don't know anything regarding that. He however ended the call when asked whether players' November salary has been paid.

Rivers United won their first group match against Academica do Lobito (3-0) before a narrow 2-1 loss to Dream FC of Ghana in the second game. On 10th December, the 2021/22 NPFL Champions will trade tackles with Club Africaine at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.