Finidi George, Rivers United Technical Manager, has admitted that the Pride of Rivers no longer stand a realistic chance of reaching the knockout stage of the 2025/2026 CAF Champions League following their 1-0 defeat to Power Dynamos on Sunday, Completsports.com reports.
The Matchday Four Group A encounter was played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, with Completesports.com reporting that the Zambian visitors struck shortly after the restart to compound Rivers United’s struggles in the competition.
Finidi Admits Qualification Is Nearly Impossible
Kondwani Chiboni scored the decisive goal for Power Dynamos five minutes into the second half, leaving the Nigerian champions rooted without a win after four group matches.
Also Read: CAF Champions League: Rivers United Fall At Home To Power Dynamos
Rivers United have now recorded three defeats and one draw in Group A, and Finidi has shifted his focus to securing at least a morale-boosting victory in their remaining fixtures against North African heavyweights Pyramids FC of Egypt and RS Berkane of Morocco.
“We definitely want to get our first victory in the competition. We know that we are going to play against the two top teams in the group — Pyramids of Egypt and RS Berkane of Morocco — in the last two games,” Finidi said during the post-match press conference.
“But all is possible in football, even though qualification for the knockout stage is very difficult — almost impossible. We still want to show character and at least get a win in the last two games.”
Rivers United Reflects On Slow Start Against Power Dynamos
The former Nigeria international expressed disappointment over his side’s slow start, which he believes played a key role in the defeat, especially after last weekend’s draw in Ndola, Zambia.
“I feel we started the game slowly — a game we were supposed to win. We were passing the ball too much at the back, and that gave them more time to organise properly,” he said.
“After they scored, we came all out to try to get an equaliser. We created a lot of chances, but we couldn’t convert any of them.”
Finidi felt Rivers United deserved more from the second half, having dominated proceedings but lacking cutting edge in front of goal.
“It’s quite disappointing. In the second half, I thought we had a couple of chances to score two or three goals, but it didn’t happen. That’s football for you,” he added.
“I have to congratulate Power Dynamos for how they defended and for the lucky goal they scored. We conceded from just a pull-out — it’s unfortunate, but it’s part of football.”
Finidi Points To Inexperience In Rivers United Squad
The former Enyimba head coach was careful not to blame his players, instead highlighting a lack of experience at this level as a contributing factor.
Also Read: Rivers United In Strong Position To Win NPFL Title –Amoo
“In a game like this, you have to be very aggressive in the first 20 minutes, and I felt we were a bit passive,” Finidi explained.
“If we had used the same energy we showed in the last 25 to 30 minutes of the second half right from the start, I think we could have scored before they did. It’s quite unfortunate.”
Finidi also noted that many players in the squad are experiencing continental football for the first time.
“For most of the players we have now, this is a learning process. If you take out two or three players from the squad, none of the rest has even played in the CAF competitions before,” he said.
“They will learn from this. If we find ourselves in this situation next season, I believe the players will do better. But for now, it’s quite unfortunate.”
By Sab Osuji
