Gabonese referee Cregue Flaury Moukagni has been appointed to officiate the CAF Champions League first preliminary round first-leg match between San Pedro and Rivers United, set for Saturday at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro. The appointment highlights CAF’s commitment to ensuring fair and professional officiating in continental competitions. Moukagni will be supported by fellow Gabonese officials Amos Abeigne Ndong as first assistant referee and Junior Assoughe as second assistant referee. Pierre Ghislain Atcho, also from Gabon, will serve as the fourth official for the encounter.
The match will be overseen by Benin Republic’s Innocent Atindehou, who has been named match commissioner, while Algeria’s Mohamed Lamine Benaissa will act as referee assessor. These appointments reflect the Confederation of African Football’s standard practice of assigning experienced and qualified officials from different nations to maintain impartiality and uphold competition integrity. The game is scheduled to kick off at 4pm local time in San Pedro, which corresponds to 5pm Nigerian time.
Rivers United, representing Nigeria in this stage of the competition, will travel to Côte d’Ivoire for the first leg before hosting the return fixture at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo next Sunday. The team is aiming to progress past the preliminary rounds to secure a place in the group stage of the prestigious tournament. Fans and analysts are closely watching how the team performs under pressure against a competitive San Pedro side.
This match marks a crucial step in Rivers United’s quest to re-establish themselves on the African football stage after previous campaigns. The club has shown determination to strengthen its squad ahead of the challenge, with reports indicating plans to recruit quality foreign players to bolster their chances. While the focus remains on performance, the presence of international referees and support staff underscores the high stakes involved.
CAF’s selection of officials from multiple countries ensures transparency and reduces the risk of bias. The involvement of experienced names like Moukagni and Atindehou adds credibility to the proceedings. As the first leg unfolds, all eyes will be on how both teams adapt to the conditions and respond to officiating decisions.
The outcome of this tie could have long-term implications for Rivers United’s continental ambitions. A strong performance in San Pedro would boost morale and set the tone for the return leg in Uyo. The match is expected to draw significant attention from Nigerian football supporters eager to see their team advance in Africa’s premier club competition.
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