Rivers United coach Stanley Eguma has told www.busybuddiesng.com that the experience of newly-signed goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai and centre-back Ifeanyi Anaemena will come in handy for his side when they compete on the continent next season.

Eguma’s side, who are billed to play in the 2020/2021 CAF Confederation Cup after finishing third in the aborted 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season, on Tuesday, completed the marque acquisition of seasoned campaigners Afelokhai and Anaemena from Enyimba to bolster their ranks.

The duo were part of the Enyimba side that reached the semi-finals of the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup and also helped the People’s Elephant claim a record 8th NPFL title last year.

They also played key roles as the 2-time African Champions advanced to the quarter-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup earlier this year, losing to Guinean outfit Horoya over two legs.

“Ifeanyi Anaemena and (Theophilus) Afelokhai are good players. Having followed them up in the league so far, they have a lot of experience,” Eguma noted. “They’ve been in the continent playing with Enyimba for some years now. And I think coming to Rivers United will be a big plus to the Rivers United team that is going to compete in the continent.

“And these players are very disciplined and very hard-working. Afelokhai was with me in the Under 23 national team some years back and I monitored his activities and performance, and I know that he is a very good goalkeeper. And that is one of the reasons why I went for him.

“Ifeanyi Anaemena too, right from the time he was playing for Giwa, I’ve also monitored him all through to Enyimba. I think he too is a very good player with a lot of experience.

“I think this experience will help Rivers United team in the forth-coming continental competition.”