Rivers United Crash Out of CAF Champions League

Rivers United have been knocked out of the CAF Champions League after drawing 2-2 with San Pedro of Ivory Coast at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Sunday.

The 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League runners-up exited the competition after the two legs ended 3-3 on aggregate, with San Pedro progressing on the away-goals rule.

Rivers United had drawn 1-1 away in the first leg last weekend. However, they faced a difficult challenge in the return fixture after San Pedro raced into a two-goal lead within the opening 20 minutes.

The visitors struck in the 14th minute before adding a second goal five minutes later. Rivers United responded strongly and pulled one goal back in the 43rd minute to go into half-time 2-1 down.

The Nigerian side continued to push for an equaliser after the break, knowing another goal could keep their CAF Champions League hopes alive.

Their pressure eventually produced a breakthrough in the 88th minute when they won a penalty. Rivers United converted the spot-kick to make it 2-2 on the night and level the tie at 3-3 on aggregate.

Despite the late comeback, the home side could not find the decisive goal needed to progress. San Pedro therefore advanced on the away-goals rule, leaving Rivers United with a disappointing early exit from the continental competition.

The result means only NPFL champions Rangers International remain in the second round of the CAF Champions League preliminary stage. Rangers are scheduled to face Algerian club USM Alger in October.

Can Rangers International carry Nigeria’s hopes further in the CAF Champions League?