Rivers United Football Club has been drawn in Group A of the 2025-2026 CAF Champions League alongside defending champions Pyramids FC, RS Berkane, and Power Dynamos. The draw ceremony took place inside SuperSport studios in Johannesburg on Monday.
The Port Harcourt side marks their first-ever appearance in the group stage of Africa’s premier club competition. Coach Finidi George led the Pride of Rivers to qualify after defeating Black Bulls of Mozambique with a 3-2 aggregate scoreline.
The qualification ended Nigeria’s six-year absence from the competition’s group phase. Lobi Stars last represented Nigeria at this level during the 2018-2019 season.
Formidable opposition awaits
Pyramids FC secured their maiden CAF Champions League crown in June 2025. The Egyptian side defeated Mamelodi Sundowns with a 3-2 aggregate triumph to lift the continental trophy.
RS Berkane won the CAF Confederation Cup three times, claiming titles in 2020, 2022, and 2025. The Moroccan club qualified for the Champions League after their first-ever Botola title during the 2024-2025 season.
Power Dynamos reached the group stages for the first time in their history. The Zambian club won the African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1991.
Nigerian pride at stake
Finidi described the qualification as a special moment for the club and for him personally. The former Ajax Amsterdam winger became the first Nigerian coach in seven years to guide a domestic side to the Champions League group stage.
Rivers United’s success provides renewed belief that Nigerian sides can compete with the continent’s best. Their qualification serves as a major boost for the Nigerian Professional Football League.
Tournament structure
Group stage matches will run from November 21, 2025, to February 2026. Only two matchdays will be played before the competition pauses for the Africa Cup of Nations in December.
The competition resumes on the weekend of January 23-25, 2026. Quarter-finals and semi-finals follow in April.
Winners receive four million US dollars in prize money. Runners-up earn two million US dollars.
The group winner advances directly to the knockout rounds. The runner-up also qualifies for quarter-finals.
Port Harcourt will host crucial fixtures. Home advantage could prove decisive. Nigerian fans rally behind their only representative.
