Rivers United’s CAF Champions League campaign has come to an end after the Nigerian side played out a 2-2 draw with Ivorian club San Pedro FC in the second leg of their first preliminary-round tie at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
The result meant the two-legged contest finished 3-3 on aggregate, but San Pedro progressed to the next round on the away-goals rule, ending Rivers United’s hopes of advancing further in Africa’s premier club competition.
The Pride of Rivers entered the decisive encounter with the tie delicately poised after securing a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Côte d’Ivoire. Rivers United had therefore needed a victory at home to guarantee qualification, while another 1-1 draw would have taken the contest into extra time under the competition rules.
Instead, the 2-2 scoreline proved decisive in favour of the Ivorian representatives.
Rivers United’s CAF Champions League journey ends
Rivers United showed resilience in Uyo but could not produce the result required to secure passage into the next round.
The Nigerian club’s elimination represents a disappointing outcome for a side that had hoped to make an impact on the continental stage after winning their opening NPFL fixture of the 2026/27 season.
San Pedro, meanwhile, will continue their CAF Champions League campaign after surviving the difficult two-legged encounter against the Nigerian champions.
The Ivorian side had previously held Rivers United to a 1-1 draw in the first leg, with substitute Iyowuna Douglas scoring the equaliser for the Pride of Rivers after San Pedro had taken the lead.
Rivers United turn attention to NPFL
With their continental campaign now over, Rivers United will shift their focus back to domestic football and the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
The Pride of Rivers are scheduled to face Nasarawa United in their next confirmed NPFL fixture on September 20, 2026.
That match will give Rivers United an opportunity to put the disappointment of their CAF Champions League exit behind them and concentrate on their domestic campaign.
For San Pedro, the 2-2 draw in Uyo represents a significant continental achievement as they move into the next stage of the CAF Champions League.
