Rivers United head coach Finidi George has expressed immense joy and pride after leading the club to the group stage of the CAF Champions League, effectively ending Nigeria’s six-year absence from that phase of the competition.
The landmark achievement came on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, where Rivers United defeated Black Bulls of Mozambique 3-1 in the second leg of their qualifying tie. Despite losing the first leg 1-0 away, the Nigerian side secured a 3-2 aggregate victory, marking their first-ever appearance in the group stage of Africa’s premier club competition.
“This is a special moment for me and for Nigerian football,” said Finidi George during a post-match interview. “To have qualified is great for everybody here. It was a hard-fought battle, and I’m proud of the team’s resilience and determination”.
The win not only cements Rivers United’s place among Africa’s elite clubs but also boosts Nigeria’s continental coefficient ranking, which determines the number of slots the country receives in future CAF competitions. With other Nigerian clubs — Remo Stars, Kwara United, and Abia Warriors — eliminated earlier in the tournament, Rivers United remains the sole representative of the nation on the continental stage.
Finidi, a former Super Eagles coach and NPFL champion with Enyimba, joined Rivers United last season and has quickly made his mark. The qualification represents his first taste of top-tier continental club football since returning to the domestic scene in 2021.
The team’s success was powered by goals from Wasiu Falolu, Maclyn Biokpo Jenewari, and Timothy Zachariah, who delivered a commanding performance in front of a jubilant home crowd.