Rivers United – Players, news, players salary

Rivers United who goes by the nickname “Pride of Rivers”, is a Port Harcourt based club that plays in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

In this article, you will learn about the club's history, players, past achievements, news and latest signings.

You will also learn about the club's new head coach and their aspirations for the 2023/24 NPFL season, where they play their home matches and lots more.

History of Rivers United

Rivers United players before action in the CAF Confederations Cup — Credit: Icon Sport

Rivers United is one of the newest clubs in the NPFL. It was founded in 2016 after the Rivers state government got the green light to merge Dolphins FC and Sharks FC. Both clubs were run by the state government and were experiencing financial difficulty at the time.

Sharks were relegated to the NNL in 2015 while Dolphins escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth after drawing their final match.

Rivers United's crest contains both a shark and a dolphin as a result of the merger.

Stanley Eguma who used to manage defunct Dolphins was appointed coach of the new club and he led them to a 1-0 win in their first league match against Enyimba in 2016.

The club finished second that season and qualified for the 2017 CAF Champions League for the first time in their history.

The club's progress has been unprecedented, as they grew up in leaps and bounds to become the youngest club to win the NPFL title in just few years of its formation.

On 25 June, 2022 Rivers United won their first NPFL title with four games to spare after Akwa United did them an early favour to beat their nearest challengers, Plateau United 2-1 in Uyo.

Rivers United ended the season with 77 points to break the league's standing record of 73 points tally in a season for the title winner.

In the 2022/23 season, the club had their best performance in the continent as they got to the last 8 of the CAF Confederations Cup. In the same season, they narrowly missed out on achieving their second league title on goal difference over Enyimba the eventual champions.

Rivers United staff profile

Technical adviser: Stanley Eguma

Head coach: Evans Ogenyi

Welfare secretary: Albert Chinwo

Media officer: Mayuku Charles

Rivers United Players

Goalkeepers

Victor Sochima
Abiodun Akande
Mutawakilu Seidu
Darlington Ovunda

Defenders

Ebube Duru
Emmanuel Ampiah
Lawrence Edward
Ngweni Ndasi
Enyinnaya Godswill
Chigozie Ihunda
Azeez Godswill
Temple Emeakayi
Adeleke Adekunle David
Fehintola Muyiwa Adeola
John Uche
Emmanuel Ampiah
Anthony Ohaegbu

Midfielders

Nyima Nekaberi Nwangwa (MVP)
Morice Chukwu
Solomon Okuruket
Ukeme Williams
Chiamaka Madu
Naibe Akpesiri
Farouk Mohammed
Mohammed Shiraz
Paul Acquah
Joseph Onoja
Shedrack Asiegbu
Augustine Okejepha
Alex Oyowah
Emmanuel Tengemo

Forwards

Albert Korvah
Chukwudi Ekeocha
Mark Gibson
Agu Kenechukwu
Malachi Ohawuma
Bolaji Sakin
Lukman Adefemi
Bernard Yao
Paul Odeh
Precious Agu

Rivers United players salary

We don't have the salary information of the players in the books of Rivers United. Nevertheless, we believe Nyima Nwangwa is one of the top earners at the club.

Rivers United stadium

Yakubu Gowon stadium

Rivers United plays their home matches at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, formerly known as the Liberation Stadium. It is located in Elekahia, Port Harcourt, and it has a seating capacity of 30,000.

Rivers United achievements

2016: NPFL runners-up

2017: First ever appearance in the CAF Champions League

2021/22: NPFL Champions with four games to spare

2021/22 NPFL winner with record ‘most points, 77'

2022/23: First ever appearance in the quarterrfinals of a CAF competition

Rivers United team news

New head coach

Rivers United in an official post on their social media handle on 2 August, announced the arrival of a new head coach, Evans Ogenyi.

“We are delighted to announce that Evans Ogenyi has joined the club as our chief coach. Ogenyi once managed Warri Wolves, Lobi Stars and most recently Kano Pillars whom he guided back to the NPFL.”

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT

Evans Ogenyi Joins As Our New Chief Coach

We're delighted to announce Evans Ogenyi has joined the club as our Chief Coach.

Ogenyi once managed Warri Wolves, Lobi Stars and most recently Kano Pillars who he guided back to the NPFL. pic.twitter.com/CVwcaF88cl

— Rivers United FC (@RiversUnitedFC) August 2, 2023

The new head coach had this to say at his unveiling:

“After speaking with coach Stanley Eguma (now technical adviser), it was a really easy decision to join the coaching set-up here,” Evans said.

“It is an exciting time to become part of this great team and I’m looking forward to working with everyone more closely on and off the pitch. I love this club and it’s such a great feeling to be here.”

The former head coach of the team was Fatai Osho who left after the team lost the league to Enyimba last season. He now manages Akwa United.

New signings

In a bid to compete favourably with the big teams in the league and also in the CAF Confederations Cup, Rivers United have strengthened their squad ahead of the new season and have also unveiled them at their stadium.

Rivers United Unveil New Players

As we gear up for the new season, we have already made a few moves in the transfer market and will be unveiling our new players

📅: Wed 2nd August
🏟️: Yakubu Gowon Stadium PH
⏱️: 4pm
This event is open to all our supporters. pic.twitter.com/GUyQuAU9D5

— Rivers United FC (@RiversUnitedFC) August 2, 2023

These are the players the club have signed before the commencement of the 2023/24 NPFL season

Deputy Echeta (Defender)
Fatai Abdullahi (Midfielder)
Adeleke Adekunle David (Defender)
Asiegbu Shedrack (Midfielder)
John Uche (Defender)
Ebedebiri Endurance (Defender)
Yao Kouassi Bernard (Forward)

Rivers United CAF competitions profile

CAF Champions League: 3 appearances

2017: First round

2021/22: Second round

2022/23: Second round

CAF Confederations Cup: 5 appearances

2017: Group stage

2020/21: Playoffs round

2021/22: Playoffs round

2022/23: Quarterfinals

2023/24: Yet to update*

Rivers United's latest news

Rivers United take on Bayelsa United in a rescheduled game

Rivers United will take on Bayelsa United in a rescheduled match on Thursday, December 14, at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, with a kick-off time set for 4 pm.

The game should be intense and exciting as both sides find themselves on the wrong end of the ladder.

Rivers United are currently the lone Nigerian representative in the CAF Clubs competition and sits in the 15th position on the NPFL table with 12 points with four outstanding games.

Ebedibiri back for Bayelsa United

Rivers United Defender, Endurance Ebedibiri will make a return to the team ahead of their rescheduled matchday 12 clash against Bayelsa United.

Ebedibiri missed the Pride of Rivers’ CAF Confederation Cup clash against Club Africain over the weekend.

Rivers United in Group C of the CAF Confederation Cup

Rivers United have been drawn in Group C of the CAF Confederation Cup. They're the only side left amongst the four NPFL clubs that participated in the 2023/24 CAF competitions.

The Pride of Rivers will battle Club Africain who are the 2011 runners-up of the competition, Dreams FC and Academical Lobito who are both making their debut in the Group Stage of the competition.

Rivers United, who got to the quarterfinals of this competition last season, will look to go a step further than that this campaign.