BY SAB OSUJI

Stanley Eguma, Technical Manager of Rivers United, says they are using the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, as a 'perfect' preparation platform for their CAF Confederation Cup campaign this term, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

'Capelo', as Eguma is affectionately called by admirers, spoke at Owerri, after the Pride of Rivers hard fought one-all draw versus struggling Heartland in a Match Day six fixture of the Nigeria domestic top flight.

Eguma's men survived the Naze Millionaires early scare, with Onyekachi Okafor handing the side an early lead 18 minutes after kick off.

But pacy forward, Favour Mohammed restored parity for the visitors 10 minutes before the break with an expertly executed free kick.

Eguma, a CAF Champions League winning Assistant Coach with Enyimba in 2004, reckons that the NPFL serves as a good preparatory laboratory for his men as they bear Nigeria's flag in the group stage of the CAF Confedetation Cup with opening group C fixture billed for the Nest of Champions, Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on November 26, against Academica do Lobito of Angola.

"It's a tough game today against Heartland. They are a good side, determined, committed and fighting for every single ball.

"It's like a Derby match which you know is always tough. We came here for the maximum points. That was what we prepared for but the pitch impeded our game.

"But I must say that a draw is a fair result. Heartland are a good side and if they continue this way, they will get off the wrong end of the NPFL standings.

"Overall, I must say that the league is helping us to prepare for the CAF Confederation Cup where we're now the only club representing the country.

"We're working hard towards that; taking every single game serious as we look forward to our opening group match on November 26 against Academica do Lobito of Angola.

"We don't want to disappoint our fans, our sponsors, Rivers State Government and Nigerians in general", Eguma said.

After the November 26 fixture against Academica do Lobito, the Pride of Rivers will travel to Dreams FC, Accra, to rekindle the Nigeria/Ghana football rivalry on December 3 before welcoming former champions and one time Victor Ezeji's Tunisian club, Club Africain, on December 10.