CAF Appoints Algerian Officials for Rivers United vs FC Les Aigles Champions League Clash

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced Algerian referee Houssam Benyahia as the center referee for the CAF Champions League first-round, second-leg encounter between Rivers United FC and FC Les Aigles du Congo.

Benyahia will be assisted by his compatriots Hamza Bouzit (Assistant Referee 1) and Haithem Bouima (Assistant Referee 2), while Loutfi Bekouassa will act as the fourth official. Ghanaian official Munkaila Nassam Adam has been named as the match commissioner.

The crucial fixture is set to take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Sunday, September 28.

Rivers United, fondly known as the Pride of Rivers, will go into the game seeking a decisive victory after holding the Congolese side to a goalless draw in the first leg away in Congo last week.

Opinion:

This appointment signals CAF’s commitment to fairness and professionalism in African football by ensuring top-level officiating for such a crucial tie. For Rivers United, the task ahead is clear: turn Uyo into a fortress and make home advantage count.

A goalless first leg is both a blessing and a burden. On one hand, it shows defensive solidity, but on the other, it leaves no room for complacency—any slip at home could be costly. The Pride of Rivers will need to find their cutting edge in attack, supported by the passionate Nigerian fans who will surely pack the stands in Uyo.

Matches like this are more than just about progression in the Champions League; they are about showcasing Nigerian football on the continental stage. Rivers United carry the hopes of their fans and, in many ways, the pride of Nigerian club football. A win on Sunday would not only put them a step closer to the group stages but also remind Africa that Nigerian football is still a force to reckon with.