NPFL’s Afelokhai and Samuel Punch Rivers United qualify for CAF Champions League

The anticipation and hype surrounding Rivers United was as advertised. Rivers United, overcoming a deficit, finally defeated Wikki 3-2 last Sunday to qualify for the 2026-27 CAF Champions League.

Jonathan Mairiga put the home team ahead on 21 minutes before Rivers United equalized in the 34th minute when Handsome Surveyor equalized for the visitors. Wikki Tourists took the lead again shortly after the break when Imamu Bala scored in the 47th minute to make the match 2-1 in their favour.

However, Rivers United were not far behind as they tied the score with a goal from Chijioke Mbaoma in the 59th minute. Otaniyi scored the decisive goal with five minutes left in the match.

Rivers United are loaded with NPFL talent

Rivers United are full of stars, but perhaps none bigger than the astonishing depth of the NPFL. All season long, veteran goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokkhai has defended the goal with passion, giving his club a chance to qualify for the CAF Champions League. Afelokhai, a seasoned veteran of the NPFL competition, has been leading Rivers United’s goal since 2020.

Afelokhai was the defensive anchor of Rivers United’s 2021-22 season, in which, according to football experts at Bettop10 Nigeriathey only allowed a staggering 0.8 goals per game. Perhaps most importantly, Afelokhai has plenty of experience in CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup matches.

For the 2025-2026 campaign, the Nigerian striker has been one of Rivers United’s most consistent attackers. In 16 games, Samuel has scored 3 goals and has also stood out for playing in the left winger position. Samuel has 6 CAF games under his belt. However, he has yet to score a goal or an assist. Rivers United are looking to change that as they qualify for next season’s CAF Champions League.

Where Rivers United is currently located

The victory keeps Rivers United in the hunt for the Nigerian top-flight title ahead of their final game of the season against Katsina United this weekend. Rivers United are one point behind league leaders Rangers International after Finidi’s boys finished Sunday’s action second in the table. Sunday’s league leaders Rangers won 2-1 against Bendel Insurance in Enugu, while Rivers United picked up three points against Wikki Tourists in Bauchi.

Not satisfied, coach Findi George, trying to avoid disappointment after the hard-fought victory, had this to say about his team:

“We will go back home to see how we can win our last home game, and then we will leave the rest to God, regardless of the result that happens in other centres, we would not worry that much, even though Rangers are ahead of us.”

With the recent victory, Rivers United have qualified to play consecutively in the CAF Champions League. Findi’s ultimate goal is for Rivers United to win the league title.

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