CAF Champions League: Rivers United Not Scared Of Opponents, Says Coach
Rivers United coach Finidi George has revealed that the club is ready to face defending champions Pyramids FC, RS Berkane, and Power Dynamos in the CAF Champions League.
The NPFL side were drawn alongside Pyramid FC, RS Berkane and Power Dynamos in Group B of the 2025-26 CAF Champions League group stage on Monday.
Rivers United are Nigeria’s only representative in the 2025/2026 CAF inter-club competitions.
Finidi said the team will be ready to give their best in the competition while welcoming the draws.
He said, “It’s a good draw, a difficult group. But if you want to compete in that tournament, you have to play your best at some stage. We’ll prepare when the time comes.
“For now, we’ll just concentrate on our league games. When it’s getting closer to that, we’ll try to prepare the boys mentally for what’s coming ahead.”
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The former Super Eagles manager said qualifying for the group stage of the competition is an extra motivation for the players.
Finidi said, “It’s extra motivation for the players. Having this platform on this big stage is going to bring a lot of expectations and a lot of confidence for the players. They’re all looking forward to having this platform to showcase what they have. So, the time has come.”
“We just hope mentally they are prepared for it. I don’t think physically we’ll struggle, but I think mentally this is a big stage. There’s no pressure for us.
“We’ll just let the boys do the basic things defensively. I think if we defend properly in a game like that, in 90 minutes, we’re going to have our moment.”
Rivers United booked their place in the group stage with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Mozambique’s Black Bulls in the second qualifying round, after defeating JSK of the Congo Democratic Republic of Congo in the preliminaries.
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They became the first Nigerian club to reach the CAF Champions League group stage since Lobi Stars in the 2018/19 season.
Under Finidi George, the club has enjoyed an impressive start to the 2025-26 NPFL season.
Up next for Rivers United in the NPFL is a clash against Bendel Insurance on Thursday.
