Rivers United beat Black Bulls to reach CAF Champions League group stage

Rivers United have qualified for the group stages of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League with a 3-1 win over the Black Bulls in Uyo on Saturday. The Nigerian club eliminated Mozambique’s Black Bulls 3-2 on aggregate to become the first Nigerian club to reach the competition’s group stage since Lobi Stars in the 2018/19 season.

The Bulls had edged Rivers United 1-0 in the first leg of the encounter in Maputo last week.

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side turned the tie around with a 3-1 victory in the return leg, which was held at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

On the pitch, Wasiu Falolu put Rivers ahead in the 15th minute, and just before halftime, Maclyn Biokpo added the second from the spot.

Black Bulls pulled one back after the break through Moctar Diallo to tie the encounter on aggregate.

However, Rivers led by former Super Eagles attacker Finidi George clinched the win in the 75th minute, with Timothy Zachariah’s strike.

Rivers will know their opponents in the group stages of the CAF Champions League when the draw is held on November 3.