Rivers United head coach, Finidi George, has thrown down the gauntlet ahead of tonight’s crucial CAF Champions League second-leg clash against Mozambican champions, Black Bulls, declaring that his team is “fully prepared to overturn the deficit and book their place in the group stage.”
The Pride of Rivers have everything to play for when they step onto the pitch at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, this Saturday, October 25, 2025. After a narrow 1–0 defeat in the first leg in Maputo, Finidi’s men must score at least two unanswered goals to advance—a mission he insists is achievable with determination and tactical discipline.
Speaking with club media on Friday, the former Super Eagles winger exuded confidence, stressing that his players have put the loss behind them and are focused on redemption. “We know what is at stake. The first leg is history. We’ve trained well, we’ve studied them, and we are ready to give our fans something to celebrate,” Finidi said. “It’s going to be a fight, but one we are fully prepared for.”
Rivers United have had mixed fortunes in continental football in recent years. They reached the quarterfinals of the CAF Confederation Cup in 2023 but have struggled to make consistent progress in Africa’s elite competition. This time, under Finidi’s leadership, the Nigerian side is determined to prove their pedigree and restore the nation’s pride on the continental stage.
The coach has hinted at a more attacking approach in tonight’s encounter, with key players such as Nyima Nwagua, Andy Okpe, and Farouk Mohammed expected to lead the charge. Reports from the team’s final training session suggest that Finidi has fine-tuned his squad’s finishing, emphasizing composure in front of goal—a problem that haunted them in the first leg.
Meanwhile, the Black Bulls arrived in Uyo on Thursday evening, boasting an unbeaten run in their domestic league and eager to defend their slim advantage. However, Rivers United fans are optimistic, recalling their team’s 3–0 demolition of Burkinabé side Etoile Filante at the same venue during last season’s qualifiers—a result that sparked a viral celebration across social media.
Finidi urged supporters to turn out in large numbers, saying their energy could make the difference. “This is our home. We want the stands filled and the fans behind us from the first whistle to the last,” he said. “We’ll give everything on that pitch—because this is not just a game, it’s our statement to Africa.”
