The CAF Confederation Cup First Round, second leg fixture between Rivers United and Bloemfontein Celtic is now likely to hold at the Stade De L’Amitie in Cotonou, Benin Republic on January 23rd, 2021.
Bloemfontein Celtic were billed to honour the return leg fixture in Port Harcourt, Nigeria on January 6th but their host country’s government Covid-19 protocols forced a postponement.
The Honourable Commissioner for Sports, Rivers State, Boma Iyaye who made this known to SPNAfricaNews noted that the game is likely to be hosted at the Stade de L’Amitie or Friendship Stadium In Cotonou, Benin Republic.
“The latest is that CAF has written to the Nigeria Football Federation to nominate a neighbouring country where the second leg will be played,” Hon. Iyaye explained in quotes credited to SPNAfricaNews and equally published on dasportstainment247
“(This is because) the COVID-19 protocols will not allow the South Africans to come to Nigeria for now. We are in touch with Benin Republic so very likely, the match will be played in Cotonou on January 23.”
According to the South African Football Federation (Safa) “the decision to reschedule the match comes after Safa reached out to Caf to seek guidance on the matter after Celtic’s initial appeal to the Nigerian FA and Nigerian government was turned down.
“The Nigerian Football Federation to decide and communicate the venue, date, kick-off-time and the approval of the neutral host association by 12 January 2021 at the latest.
“The additional player registration period starts on the 10th of January 2021, the two teams shall not be allowed to field any of the players registered during this period for this match.”
Rivers United won the first leg of the tie m2-0 and the winner of the fixture on aggregate have a tantalising fixture with Enyimba to negotiate on valentine’s day and February 28th.
The stadium, Stade de L’Amitie or General Mathieu Kerekou Friendship Stadium in Cotonou is Benin Republic’s national stadium with 20,000 seating capacity and it was constructed in 1983. It hosts mainly national teams and club games involving Benin Republic and other overseas nations.
