Rivers United has filed a complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) against Egyptian side Al Masry, the Nigerian giants announced Wednesday afternoon.
Rivers head into the second leg with a comfortable 2-1 lead in Aba, with the Al Masry fans hopeful of overturning the deficit to claim a CAF Confederation Cup group stages spot.
Things, however, have not gone smooth with Rivers just a few days ahead of the second-leg, lodging a complaint with the African football governing body against Al Masry stating that some of their travelling contingent have been denied visa to travel to Morocco.
Rivers have also complained over ongoing and sustained discriminatory abuse on their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts by Egyptian fans.
“Ahead of this weekend’s encounter, Rivers United has uncovered plots by Al Masry to unsettle the team…some members of Rivers United contingent for the tie have been denied entry visa into Egypt by the Egyptian Embassy, including two journalists,” read part of the club statement.
“In addition, Al Masry football club in various official social media posts and their corresponding fans’ comments have threatened to hurt members of Rivers United during their visit. Threat statements like “we will kill you,” “welcome to hell,” and photos of knives, machetes, and flares dominated comments below Al Masry’s official post.”
“To rub salt to wound, Rivers United has also gotten wind that Covid19 test manipulations will also be employed to further weaken the resolve of the team.
“The team remains focused and are set to jet out of Nigeria on Thursday for Sunday’s action which is billed to kickoff at 5pm Nigerian time.”
Al Masry are reported to have also lodged a complaint with CAF for insulting treatment from Rivers United in the first-leg on Sunday.
Uche Onwuansanya put Rivers United ahead in the 25th minute after he was set up by Malachi Ohawume.
The visitors equalised two minutes later courtesy of Mohamed Antar who showed good pace and stunned the Nigerians with a quick-fire equalizer, before Ishaq Kayode restored the home side’s lead 10 minutes before the break.
The Nigerians might hold the advantage, but there is much work to be done when they travel to Egypt for the return leg against Masry on Sunday.
