Stephen Manyo don finally open up on how e feel after Rivers United make am the new captain of the club ahead of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
Although the club announce the appointment earlier this week, the experienced defender don now talk about the heavy responsibility wey head coach Finidi George hand over to am, na weytin Hitvibz dey yan be dat.
Stephen Manyo Talk Say Rivers United Captaincy No Be Small Responsibility
Rivers United confirm Manyo as their new captain through their official social media page, while top striker Chijioke Mbaoma go serve as the new assistant captain.
“We dey happy to announce say Stephen Manyo na our new team captain now. Manyo don make a huge impact since em join us for August 2024,” na wetin the club write.
Manyo go replace Temple Emekayi, wey leave the Pride of Rivers after im contract expire at the end of last season.
As e dey react to the appointment, the centre-back describe the new role as big privilege and promise say e go lead the team by example throughout the new season.
E also admit say to captain one of Africa’s biggest clubs no be small task, adding say the appointment na one of the biggest achievements for im football career.
“E be privilege for me because to reach this level and become Rivers United captain no easy because e dey demanding. Na big club, one of the biggest clubs for Africa. So to become captain na privilege for me, especially if I remember where I dey come from.”
“Dem give me this privilege because plenty people want this same position wey I get now,” Manyo talk.
Stephen Manyo Promise Say E Go Lead Rivers United By Example
The defender talk say the captaincy carry plenty expectations from the club management, coaching crew and im teammates, but e ready to justify the confidence wey dem put for am.
According to Manyo, the only way to become good captain na to first set good example because teammates no go fit follow leader wey no dey show the right standard.
“For me, this position go dey demanding from the club, the management and my teammates.”
“I gatz become good example for my teammates because if I no lead well, if I no show good example, dem no go fit follow well. So, I just wan lead the team well,” e conclude.
This season, the Pride of Rivers go battle for three major trophies — the NPFL title, President Federation Cup and CAF Champions League — with Manyo set to lead Finidi George boys on top the pitch.
The defender play key role for Rivers United last season, scoring two goals in the CAF Champions League.
The first one come against FC Les Aigles du Congo for the second leg of the preliminary round, while im stunning strike against Pyramids FC later win CAF Goal of the Day award.
Manyo also play 10 CAF Champions League matches and score three NPFL goals in 30 league appearances, proving why e be one of Rivers United’s most important players.
Manyo, wey once promise say e go achieve greatness to reward all the sacrifices wey im mama make for am, now don enter another important chapter of im career as e prepare to lead Rivers United chase more trophies this season.
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Last Updated on July 19, 2026 4:58 pm by Hitvibz Media
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