NPFL clubs’ continental woes continue as Rivers United falter

Rivers United’s journey in the 2025/26 CAF Champions League group stage has been quite challenging, especially after their last home defeat to Power Dynamos. With one point in four group matches, Rivers United who are already in a precarious situation can only complete the sad tale of Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) in 2025/2026 CAF inter-club competitions.

Even as they landed in the same group with North African giants, Pyramids of Egypt, and RS Berkane of Morocco, a few incurable optimists gave Rivers United a chance to progress from the group.

However, any optimism that the “Pride of Rivers” would qualify for the quarter-finals from the group began to fade soon after hostilities started as the Nigerian representatives suffered a crushing defeat in the opening group match away at Pyramids.

After they laboured to a barren draw in the first half, Rivers United collapsed completely in the second half and were punished by Ahmed Atef El Sayed, who scored a hat-trick to send Pyramids on their way to reaching the knock-out stage.

There was no respite for Rivers United as they returned to their adopted home ground Godswill Akpabio Stadium Uyo where they were stunned 1-2 by visiting RS Berkane who staged a shocking comeback.

Although Rivers United experienced a momentary spark in the third match at Power Dynamos of Zimbabwe where they managed to pick a point in a 0-0 draw, the hope was immediately extinguished in the return leg. The team from Harare shocked Rivers United 1-0 in Uyo to leave them with only one point in four group matches.

The “Pride of Rivers” now have two more matches to play against the two top teams in the group- Pyramids at home, and RS Berkane away. To have any mathematical chance of progression, they must win their remaining two games against the group giants and hope for other results to go their way.

However, any possibility for last season’s NPFL runners-up to spring a surprise is quite low considering how they have performed. A significant issue for Finidi George’s side has been scoring; they have managed only one goal in four group matches. The team’s only goal was scored by Wasiu Falolu against RS Berkane. Such an impotent attack will hardly inspire confidence.

Rivers United as one-eyed king among the blind

Although they have failed to live up to the expectations of their teeming supporters, it is not all gloom for Rivers United’s group appearance, the first since 2019, has kept Nigeria among the top 12 nations eligible to feed four teams in CAF inter-club competitions.

Maintaining these slots is a year-to-year battle. It is, therefore, comforting that Rivers United have won the battle on behalf of other NPFL clubs. As it is, Nigeria has edged out rivals like Mali to qualify to present two teams in the Champions League, and two in the Confederation Cup, in the 2026/2027 season.

So, they can be likened to a one-eyed king among the blind because the other teams that represented Nigeria in the continent quickly disappeared from their respective competitions.

The defending champions, Remo Stars, had a strong start, defeating US Zilimadjou 5–0 on aggregate. However, they were knocked out in the second preliminary round by South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns, losing 7–1 on aggregate (1–5 at home and 2–0 away).

In almost the same scenario, the duo of Abia Warriors and Kwara United failed at the first hurdle in the Confederation Cup. Making their debut in the continent, Abia Warriors were edged out by Djoliba AC (Mali) with a 2–1 aggregate score (1–1 draw in Uyo and a 1–0 loss in Bamako), while the Federation Cup winners, Kwara United  lost to Ghanaian powerhouse Asante Kotoko in a high-scoring 5–3 aggregate defeat (3–4 loss in Accra and 0–1 loss at their makeshift home in Abeokuta).

The disappointing performances of the three clubs had put Nigeria’s continental slots at risk, but Rivers United came to the rescue of the country by qualifying for the Champions League group stage where they were mathematically eliminated.

Reasons for continuous failure in CAF competitions

The poor performance of Nigerian clubs in continental competitions is a complex issue rooted in structural, financial, and administrative challenges. While individual talent in Nigeria is undeniable, the domestic league system often fails to provide the foundation necessary to compete with the giants of North and South Africa.

As a matter of fact, the economic gap between NPFL clubs and their counterparts in Egypt, Morocco, or South Africa is massive as top players in Nigeria often earn between N400,000 to N1,000,000 monthly. In contrast, clubs like Al Ahly or Mamelodi Sundowns pay their stars tens of thousands of dollars per month.

This disparity in payment is responsible for the endless exodus of Nigeria’s talented players. As soon as a player excels in the NPFL, they are sold to North African or European leagues, leaving the Nigerian club to “rebuild” its squad every single season just before continental games.

Furthermore, the chances of NPFL continental clubs are considerably reduced by logistical and administrative lapses. While North African teams often travel via chartered flights, Nigerian clubs frequently endure grueling commercial flights with multiple layovers across Africa, leading to player fatigue and poor performances.

To make matters worse, many NPFL stadiums do not meet CAF’s strict “Cat 3” requirements. This forces clubs to play “home” games at adopted grounds, thereby stripping them of their actual home-ground advantage and loyal fan support.

In the current season, none of the NPFL clubs, including the defending champions, Remo Stars, hosted continental opponents at their traditional home grounds. While Remo Stars and Kwara United played home away from home at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Rivers United and Abia Warriors adopted the magnificent Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

These clubs under-performed partly because playing in an empty stadium—often referred to as a “ghost game”—removes the “12th man” effect and fundamentally changes the dynamics of a football match.

Nigerians can now invest ₦2.5 million on premium domains and profit about ₦17-₦25 million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than wonder, click here to find out how it works.

Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.