Rivers Utd seal qualification for CAF Champions League group stage
Rivers United of Port Harcourt have secured qualification for the group stage of the CAF Champions League after a 3–1 victory over Mozambique’s Black Bulls in the second leg of their second-round tie on Saturday in Uyo.
The Pride of Rivers overturned a first-leg deficit to triumph 3–2 on aggregate, marking their first-ever appearance in the group phase of Africa’s premier club competition. The achievement also ends Nigeria’s six-year wait for representation at this stage, with Lobi Stars being the last NPFL side to do so in 2019.
Wasiu Falolu set Rivers United on their way with the opener in the 15th minute before Maclyn Biokpo doubled the advantage from the penalty spot just before halftime.
The visitors pulled one back early in the second half through Moctar Diallo, but Timothy Zachariah struck late to seal a memorable win for the Nigerian side.
With the result, Rivers United have written a new chapter in their history and in Nigerian club football, booking a deserved place among Africa’s elite.
The draw for the CAF Champions League group stage will take place on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. local time, live from the studios of CAF’s broadcast partner, SuperSport, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The feat earned the players and officials of the club a monetary reward of five thousand dollars, courtesy of the Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Barrister Chris Green, who announced the gesture moments after the encounter.
