Nigeria’s Rivers United have reached the Group stage of the CAF Champions League 2025/26 after a 3-1 triumph over Black Bulls Maputo of Mozambique on Saturday 25 October, 2025 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria.
Finidi George’s Pride of Rivers had suffered a lone goal defeat in the first leg to the Champions of Mozambique at the Estádio Nacional do Zimpeto in Maputo; the goal scored by Moctar Diallo in the seond half of the match.
Coming home, Rivers United had to put in every muscle to ensure their qualification into the Group Phase of the tournament; the Nigerian side ended victorious and finished the tie with a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Wasiu Falolu placed Rivers United ahead in the 14th minute, and in the 42nd minute Maclyn Biokpo Jenewari made it two.
The visitors hustled and pulled one back just two minutes into the second 45 minutes through Diallo, making the game tied at 2-2 on aggregate.
But, this made the home side furious and they rallied for their third which they scored in the 76th minute through Timothy Zachariah.
Rivers United, who qualified for the CAF Champions League 2025/26 after finishing second in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) 2024/25 behind Remo Stars, held on with the scoreline to ensure they advance in the tournament.
Result
CAF Champions League 2025/26 – Saturday 25 October, 2025 |
| Orlando Pirates 3(agg 3-3)0 Saint-Eloi Lupopo (Q) |
| (Q) Young Africans 2(agg 2-1)0 Silver Strikers |
| (Q) Rivers United 3(agg 3-2)1 Black Bulls Maputo |
| (Q) Petro Atletico 2(agg 4-0)0 Stade D’abidjan |
| (Q) Al-Ahly 1(agg 2-0)0 Aigle Noir |
| (Q) JS Kabylie 2(agg 5-1)1 US Monastir |
| (Q)FAR Rabat 3(agg 4-1)0 Horoya AC |
| Q – Qualified |
In its post-match report on X, Rivers United wrote: “History was made at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium as we defeated Black Bulls of Mozambique 3-1, securing a spot in the prestigious #TotalEnergiesCAFCL group stage for the first time.”
The next for Rivers United will be a return to the NPFL on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 when they lock horns with Ikorodu City FC at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in a rescheduled matchday 10 fixture.
Photo: Rivers United players celebrate after qualifying for the Group Phase of the CAF Champions League 2025/26 | X/Rivers United FC
