Rivers United become first NPFL club to reach CAF Champions League group stage since 2018

Rivers United have qualified for the group stages of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League. 

The Pride of Rivers defeated Mozambique’s Black Bulls 3-2 on aggregate to become the first Nigerian club to reach the competition’s group stages since Lobi Stars in the 2018/2019 season.

The Bulls had edged Rivers United 1-0 in the first leg of the encounter in Maputo last week.

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side turned the tie around with a 3-1 victory in the return leg, which was held at the Godswill Akpabio stadium on Saturday.

Wasiu Falolu put Rivers ahead in the 15th minute with a brilliant finish, and just before halftime, Maclyn Biokpo added the second from the spot.

Black Bulls pulled one back after the break through Moctar Diallo to tie the encounter.

However, Rivers clinched the win in the 75th minute, with Timothy Zachariah’s superb strike securing history for Finidi George and his team.

Rivers will know their opponents in the group stages of the CAF Champions League when the draw is held on November 3.