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NPFL giant Rivers United are looking to avoid any more slip-ups against Diables Noirs in the CAFCC.
Two teams with contrasting fortunes and form in the CAFCC will go head-to-head when NPFL champions Rivers United host Diables Noirs on Sunday.
Noirs are guests this Sunday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, where Rivers United will hope to avenge their only defeat in the CAFCC group stage so far.
Rivers United have been in impeccable form in recent time across competitions but will be wary of the only team to have denied them points in the CAFCC.
Rivers United vs Noirs: Form Guide
The Pride of Rivers will be eyeing revenge when they take to the pitch at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium later today for matchday five of the CAFCC group stages.
United head into the game in excellent form across competitions but are up against a Noirs side that put three goals past them when both teams met in the reverse fixtures in Congo Brazzaville on February 12, 2023.
NPFL champions, the Pride of Rivers, have recovered from that heavy defeat, with three wins and two draws in the five matches that followed that dark day in Congo.
The richest footballers in Nigeria, any Rivers United star?
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However, while United are in good form and comfortable at the top of the CAFCC Group B table, Stanley Eguma and his boys know that they can't avoid more slip-ups against the tricky side.
For the Congolese, it hasn't been a smooth sail since they halted the stride of their host on Sunday, NPFL's Rivers United.
Noirs have suffered two defeats and and won just a single game of six matches played since that impressive win in Congo.
A 1-0 defeat in the CAFCC at home the last time to ASEC Mimosas means they need a repeat of that performance against United the last time to revive their fading CAFCC dream.
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Team News
As at the time of writing this report, NPFL champions, Rivers United, will have a fully fit squad heading into the vital CAFCC game against Noirs later today.
But their visitors in the CAFCC tie are not so lucky after losing star Teji Lutonadio Muingela to suspension.
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Key Stats
How Rivers United performed in their last competitive game.
In terms of numbers that should define this game, clearly, the head-to-head battle favours the visitors who were too good for NPFL champions Rivers United in the first leg.
But other numbers are to United's advantage, with the Pride of Rivers unbeaten at home in 19 matches, including that outstanding win over Motema Pembe.
Also, Noirs may have taken the bragging rights in the reverse fixture, the Congolese side has failed to impress away from home, having failed to score in any of the last two.
Indeed, Noirs have only scored three goals in the CAFCC group stages so far and conceded as many in four matches. This means their defence must be at its best to stop the group's best attack, Rivers United, with seven goals.
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The last time NPFL Champions played at home, they scored three goals against Motema Pembe in the CAFCC.
The numbers behind Rivers United's 3-1 thrashing of Motema Pembe the last time in the CAFCC
Prediction
While Noirs could prove to be a real banana peel for Rivers United, especially considering that performance in Brazzaville, NPFL's United have looked impregnanable at home so far across all competitions.
I will go for a 2-1 Rivers United win for this one.
United vs Noirs: Relive the first leg
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