Rivers United vs Bloemfontein Celtic: CAF Make Final Decision On Postponed CAFCC Clash

The second leg match between the Nigerian side and their South African counterparts was initially scheduled to take place on 6 January 2020 in Port Harcourt

Rivers United’s CAF Confederations Cup tie against Bloemfontein Celtic has been rescheduled for the weekend of 22-24 January 2021.

It will be played in a neighbouring country to Nigeria with more lenient COVID-19 protocols regarding travellers from South Africa.

The two clubs met in South Africa in December 2020, with the Nigerian club securing an excellent 2-0 victory to put one leg in the next round of the competition.

The return leg to be played at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt was billed for 6 January 2021.

However, it had to be put on hold after Celtic could not travel to Nigeria due to the Nigerian Government’s strict coronavirus regulations.

The Bloemfontein-based club players and officials were required to be quarantined for seven days upon arrival due to South Africa being designated as one of the high-risk countries.

CAF has decided to reschedule the match after the Nigeria Football Federation reached out to the football body to seek guidance on the matter.

The CAF Committee, as per the South African FA, has since decided on the following:

• The match will be rescheduled for the weekend of the 22-24 January 2021. It will be played in a neighbouring country to Nigeria with more lenient COVID-19 protocols regarding travellers coming from South Africa.
• 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 designation of the match officials is maintained.
• Rivers United FC to take charge of all organisational expenses in the neutral country as the host club and to ensure that the visiting team has the approval for entry in the neutral country.
• 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 2-0 in South Africa. The aggregate winner of the tie will face two-time African champions Enyimba in the next phase of the competition.