Rivers United captain Festus Austin says the Pride of Rivers are poised to make the nation proud ahead of the second leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary round clash against Tanzanian side Young Africans.

Stanley Eguma’s side secured an impressive 1-0 win against the Tanzanians on Sunday in Dar es Salaam to take charge of the two-legged tie, thanks to a 51st-minute effort from Moses Omodumuke.

Ahead of the second leg in Port Harcourt, the long-serving Rivers United skipper says his teammates understand the importance of the tie, adding that they will be going all out for victory.

“It’s a very big game, and I know how important the game is to all Nigerians and the good people of Rivers State, especially to our sports-loving Governor, the number one Citizen of Rivers State (Nyesom Wike),” he said.

“And we just have to do our best to make the nation proud. And we don’t need any excuse than to go all out.”

With the new NPFL season yet to commence, Festus Austin admitted that preparing for the CAF Champions League has been very difficult, but hailed the management for mapping out a strategy to overcome the situation.

“It has been a difficult one, and you see we are not on session,” he said about the NPFL. “We just have to have a positive thinking and prepare our minds for the task ahead. But we know it has not been easy.

“I thank the management also for structuring out little plans that helped us jell for the game. So, I think we are on track, we’ll get it right.”

If Rivers United overcome Young Africans, they will meet the winner of the tie between Ethiopian side Fasil Kenema and Al Hilal of Sudan.

Both sides drew 2-2 in the first leg of their preliminary round tie in Ethiopia at the weekend.