Rivers United of Port Harcourt has raised the alarm over an alleged death threat on the players and officials by fans of Egyptian club, Al Masry, who are hosting the Nigerian club in the CAF Confederation Cup this weekend.
Rivers United, which has described the death threat as part of antics to destabilise the Nigerian side ahead of the Confederation Cup play-off return leg slated for Alexandria, Egypt on Sunday, has already informed Africa’s football ruling body, Confederation of African Football (CAF), about the threat.
According to Rivers United Media Officer, Charles Mayuku, the club has enough evidence of how Al Masry wants to frustrate their team when they arrive in Egypt.
“Al Masry in various official social media posts and their corresponding fans’ comments have threatened to hurt members of Rivers United during their visit to Egypt. Threat statements like “we will kill you,” “welcome to hell,” and photos of knives, machetes, and flares dominate comments in Al Masry’s official posts.
“The team should have traveled on Thursday (yesterday) but some of our officials, including two journalists, have been denied entry visas to Egypt by the Egyptian Embassy.
“Rivers United has also gotten information that COVID-19 test manipulations will also be employed to further weaken the team.”
Mayuku added: “Based on all these information, Rivers United has drawn the attention of Africa’s football governing body, CAF, in writing, through the Nigeria Football Federation, as well the Nigerian Embassy in Egypt, informing them of this evil plots and barbaric scheme by our opponent.”
“Rivers United remains focused for Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup tie, which is billed to kickoff at 5.00 p.m. Nigerian time.”
In the first leg of the encounter held at Enyimba Stadium, Aba, Rivers earned a 2-1 victory last weekend. So, they need a draw or victory to progress to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.
