CAF Champions League don bring serious test come for Rivers United, but head coach Finidi George no dey panic.
Instead, the former Super Eagles oga don point out one important advantage wey fit help the Pride of Rivers as dem prepare to battle Ivorian side FC San Pédro for the first preliminary round, na weytin Hitvibz dey yan be dat.
Finidi Talk Wetin Give Rivers Hope Against San Pédro
Confederation of African Football (CAF) pair Rivers United with San Pédro during the draw for the first preliminary round of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League.
The NPFL runners-up go first travel go Côte d’Ivoire for the first leg between September 4 and 6, before dem come return home for the second leg wey go hold between September 11 and 13.
According to Finidi, na the order of the fixtures be the biggest positive for United.
“E no be bad draw, but for this kind game, you no fit really know wetin go happen. But I think say na fair draw. We go try know more about them so we fit plan our strategy well,” Finidi talk after the draw.
Di Rivers gaffer believe say playing the first leg away from home fit give him team better chance to control the tie before dem finish am in front of their home fans.
“We dey go there first, so that one na good thing. We go try get better result for there, then come back home and see how we fit qualify go the next preliminary round.”
The way Finidi talk show say him get confidence, but at the same time, him know say knockout football fit always bring surprise.
Finidi Don Already Focus on CAF Champions League Mission
Even though San Pédro get plenty experience for West African football, Finidi insist say di Garden City team go use the next few weeks study their opponents well before the two-legged tie.
Remember say last season, Finidi and im boys fight well well to qualify for the group stage. Dem show real character across two home-and-away preliminary rounds before dem finally book their place for the main competition.
First Preliminary Round
First Leg (20 September 2025): Les Aigles du Congo 0–0 Rivers United
Second Leg (28 September 2025): Rivers United 1–0 Les Aigles du Congo
Outcome: Rivers United hold Les Aigles to goalless draw for Kinshasa before dem come finish the job for home with 1–0 win, as dem qualify with 1–0 aggregate.
Second Preliminary Round
First Leg (18 October 2025): Associação Black Bulls 1–0 Rivers United
Second Leg (25 October 2025): Rivers United 3–1 Associação Black Bulls
Outcome: After dem lose the first leg for Mozambique, Rivers bounce back for Port Harcourt with strong 3–1 victory to overturn the deficit, win 3–2 on aggregate, and seal their place for the group stage.
If Rivers United fit knock out San Pédro, dem go qualify for the second preliminary round where dem go face either Vipers SC of Uganda or FC Nouadhibou of Mauritania.
For now, Finidi don make am clear wetin him want. Rivers must get good result away before dem come Port Harcourt complete the job in front of their supporters.
Now, all eyes don turn to September as the the Pride of Rivers begin another journey to qualify for the CAF Champions League group stage.
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Last Updated on August 7, 2026 12:09 pm by Hitvibz Media
CAFCL: Finidi George Don Talk di Only 'Good Thing' About Rivers United's FC San Pédro Draw
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