San Pedro head coach Hassen Bellil says his team are fully prepared to face Rivers United in the first leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary-round tie in Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday.
The Ivorian club will host the Nigerian side at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro, with kick-off scheduled for 16:00 local time, 17:00 in Nigeria.
San Pedro returned to Cote d’Ivoire after completing a training tour in Tunisia, where Bellil’s squad stepped up preparations for their opening continental fixture.
Bellil said his coaching staff had analysed Rivers United closely and that his players understood the challenge posed by the visitors.
“Like all teams, we watched Rivers United’s games. We studied the team with our analysis unit,” Bellil told a press conference on Friday.
“We know they are a good and experienced team. They are a solid side, but we have prepared well to face them.”
The San Pedro manager believes the work carried out during the team’s time in Tunisia has put his side in a strong position before the first meeting with Rivers United.
“We have prepared very well for this African campaign. We held a training camp in Tunisia, where we played several high-level matches,” Bellil added.
“Since returning to Abidjan, we have continued with the same intensity. We are ready to give everything, defend our chances and secure qualification for the second round of the CAF Champions League.”
The match represents the first stage of San Pedro’s bid to progress in the competition, while Rivers United begin their campaign with the advantage of facing their opponents away from home in the opening leg.
San Pedro’s preparations have included both the overseas camp and a continuation of their training programme after returning from Tunisia. Bellil said the intensity of that work had been maintained as his team prepared for the encounter.
The fixture will be officiated by a Gabonese referee, with the appointment confirmed ahead of the game.
Rivers United captain Manyo has also described the match as a “Cup Final”, underlining the importance attached to the tie by the Nigerian club.
The second leg will determine which side advances to the next stage of the CAF Champions League, with San Pedro aiming to establish a positive platform on home ground.
Bellil has emphasised that his players will need to show commitment across the contest as they attempt to secure progress in the tournament.
The meeting in San Pedro is scheduled for Saturday at the Laurent Pokou Stadium, where San Pedro will look to turn their preparation into an advantage against a Rivers United side they regard as experienced and well organised.