Nigeria’s remaining representative in the 2025/2026 CAF inter-club competitions, Rivers United, were on Monday drawn against defending champions Pyramids in the group stage of the CAF Champions League, www.aclsports.com reports.
In the draws conducted at SuperSport Studios in Johannesburg, South Africa, Rivers United, who defeated Mozambican side Black Bulls to reach the group stage of the competition for the first time, will also face CAF Confederation Cup champions RS Berkane of Morocco and debutants Power Dynamos of Zambia in Group A.
Rivers United, tutored by Finidi George, previously reached the quarter-final stage of the CAF Confederation Cup in the 2023/23 season, will be hoping for another decent run in Africa’s premier competition this time around. However, the draw has put them in a tough situation with the current defending champions of Africa’s club competitions.
Having reached the group stage of the CAF Champions League, Rivers United ensured that Nigeria’s coefficient ranking in the CAF Inter Club system and its position in the top 12 are maintained. However, they will hope to further strengthen it by performing well in the competition.
Only the first two group stage games will be played before the competition goes on break until 2026 because of the Africa Cup of Nations in December. Meanwhile, Rivers United are expected to miss at least three Nigeria Premier Football League games during the period.
FULL DRAWS
Group A – RS Berkane(Morocco), Pyramids FC(Egypt), Rivers United (Nigeria) , Power Dynamos (Zambia)
Group B – Al Ahly (Egypt), Young Africans (Tanzania), AS FAR Rabat (Morocco), JS Kabylie (Algeria)
Group C – Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Al-Hilal Omdurman (Sudan), MC Alger (Algeria), St. Éloi Lupopo (DR Congo)
Group D – Esperance Tunis (Tunisia), Simba (Tanzania), Petro de Luanda (Angola), Stade Malien (Mali)
