Finidi targets NPFL title after CAFCL ticket

Finidi George has shifted focus to winning the Nigeria Premier Football League title after guiding Rivers United to qualification for next season’s CAF Champions League, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Rivers United secured their continental ticket on Sunday following a dramatic 3-2 victory over Wikki Tourists in an NPFL clash in Bauchi.

One point behind leaders Rangers International, the result keeps the Port Harcourt side firmly in the title race heading into the final game of the season.

Rangers also held on to top spot after grinding out a 2-1 win over Bendel Insurance F.C. in Enugu. The title race will now go down to the final day, with Rangers set to face Ikorodu City F.C. while Rivers United host Katsina United.

Despite celebrating another CAF Champions League qualification, Finidi insisted his side is determined to complete the task by winning the league crown.

“Qualifying for the CAF Champions League two years in a row is a huge achievement. Many clubs fight for these positions and fail to get there, so the players deserve credit. But now we want to see if we can finish the job and win the title,” Finidi said.

The former Ajax winger also praised his players for their resilience after coming from behind twice to beat Wikki Tourists away from home.

“It was a very difficult game. Coming from behind twice and still finding a way to win shows the mentality of this team.

“The players gave everything in the final minutes to score the winning goal. Playing away in Bauchi with the home crowd behind Wikki was never going to be easy,” he added.

Rivers United competed in the CAF Champions League this season as Nigeria’s only representatives, but were knocked out in the group stage.

Finidi, who led Enyimba to their ninth league title in 2023, is now chasing his first silverware with Rivers United since joining the 2022 champions in the summer of 2024.