Rivers United: Finidi George leads club to terrible record after damning defeat at Berkane

Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) side Rivers United have officially crashed out of the CAF Champions League following a sobering 3-0 defeat at the hands of RS Berkane, Soccernet.ng reports.

​The Pride of Rivers traveled to Morocco for their final group stage fixture as a mere formality. Before kickoff, the Port Harcourt-based side sat rock-bottom of the standings, having picked up just a single point from a possible 15 in their opening five games.

With their fate already sealed, progress was mathematically impossible regardless of the result against their Moroccan hosts.

Rivers during the Caf Champions League. Photo by: ImagoxNsidibeAkpan Copyright: xx

​Despite having nothing but pride to play for, the Nigerian representatives were thoroughly outclassed.

RS Berkane, the reigning CAF Confederation Cup champions, asserted their dominance early, racing to a two-goal lead before halftime thanks to strikes from Youssef Mehri and Paul Bassene.

​The pummeling continued after the break, with the Moroccans adding a third just eight minutes into the second half to make it 3-0. The game eventually ended that way.

The statistics showed an embarrassing story of total domination; Rivers United managed just four attempts throughout the match, while their hosts registered 22 shots. The Pride of Rivers could have conceded as much as five

Watch Highlights of Rivers United vs RS Berkane

​Finidi George Leads Rivers United to Unwanted Record in CAF CL

​According to Opta Nigeria, Rivers United’s exit marks a dark milestone in Nigerian football history.

This is the first time a Nigerian club has been knocked out of the CAF Champions League group stage without recording a single victory.

​This poor run serves as a significant dent on Finidi George’s coaching CV.

Coach Finidi George, Taofeek Otaniyi, Stephen Manyo and Taiwo AbdulRafiu of Rivers United. Ogunfeyitimi Copyright: ImagoxShengolpixsx

While North African clubs are often a level above their Nigerian counterparts, the Pride of Rivers’ inability to defeat even Zambia’s Power Dynamos over two legs is also questionable.

​With Rivers United’s exit, there are no Nigerian clubs left in the competition—a disappointing reality for the image of the NPFL.

​Nonetheless, Finidi and his men have a clear path to redemption. They currently sit second in the NPFL table, level on points with league leaders Ikorodu City.

With four games in hand, Rivers United remain favorites to reclaim the summit and secure a return to continental football next season.