Top official of the League Management Company will officially crown Rivers United as the 2021/22 NPFL league champions on Sunday in Port Harcourt when they will confront Kano Pillars who will give them guard of honour.
Rivers United lost to Nasarawa United by 2-1 in Jos on Sunday though they officially became the Nigerian champions after ther closest rivals Plateau United lost by the 2-1 to Akwa United on Saturday evening at Uyo to give the Port Harcourt side an unassailable lead with three rounds of matches still to be played.
Rivers United now have 71 points from 35 matches, 10 points clear of Plateau United, who have played 35 matches, while Remo Stars are a distant third on 53 points.
The championship win has thus qualified them to represent Nigeria in the 2022/2023 CAF Champions League.
This will be the first major honour for Rivers United since they were formed following a merger of Port Harcourt two top clubs – Dolphins and Sharks – in 2016.
They are owned by oil-rich Rivers State Government, who have made them one of the best professionally run clubs in Nigeria.
NPFL joint leading scorer Chijoke Akuneto, who has 16 goals and winger Ishaq Kayode, who has netted 15 goals, both feature for ‘The Pride of Rivers’.
Last season, Rivers United were runners-up to another club financed by an oil-rich government, Akwa United.
They failed to reach the group rounds of the CAF Champions League.
NPFL Results:
Enyimba 0-0 Heartland
Gombe United 2-1 Wikki Tourists
Kano Pillars 1-0 Rangers
Lobi Stars 1-0 Dakkada
3SC 2-2 Abia Warriors
Sunshine 2-1 MFM
Niger Tornadoes 4-0 Kwara United
Akwa Utd 2-1 Plateau Utd
