Finidi urges Akwa Ibom fans to support Rivers United in CAF Champions League

Rivers United's Technical Adviser Finidi George has asked football fans in Akwa Ibom to come out and support the Nigerian champions. They want to secure a place in the next round of the CAF Champions League.

Finidi spoke ahead of the second leg of Rivers United’s first preliminary-round match against Ivorian team San Pedro at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. The Nigerian team is feeling confident after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

As the important match approaches, the former Super Eagles coach said his players are ready. He believes the good vibes around the team can help them perform well on the pitch.

“This is our last training, so the players are sharp, and we are ready to go. I like the positivity in the crowd. I hope we can transmit that to the game proper tomorrow, and hopefully we will get the result that we all hoped for.”

Finidi also talked about the changes in the squad for the new season. He said the changes were needed as Rivers United aims to do better than in the last two seasons.

He explained that their decision was not only based on their failure to advance from last season’s Champions League group stage. It was also about bringing in fresh energy after finishing as league runners-up two times.

“We had to, we had to bring in a lot of players. Not just because we lost out, or we didn’t do well in the last group stage Champions League, just because we’ve been second in two consecutive seasons.

“I think the players that we had, they reached their top. They cannot give us more than what they gave to us in the last two seasons.

“We needed fresh energy, fresh and younger players. That was why we made that decision to bring in a lot of new players and younger players.

“Going forward, I think these players are good players. We hope they can perform at this highest level.”

The Rivers United boss is hopeful about what the new squad can do, especially on the continental stage. After closely watching San Pedro in the first leg, Finidi feels Rivers United has what it takes to win in Uyo and advance to the next preliminary round.

“From what I’ve seen in the first game, I’m optimistic that we’re going to go through and play the next round of these preliminaries.

“So, yeah, last season is gone. We’ll try to work on what we felt didn’t work last season, especially in the Champions League. I’ll see if we can do better.”

The first-leg draw keeps the tie balanced, but Finidi says Rivers United is not just here to participate. They are aiming for improvement in all competitions, including a serious push for the Nigeria Premier Football League title.

“It’s not just to compete, we also want to win games. Last season we couldn’t win a match in the Champions League, even though we had the opportunities here to have won against Berkane and Pyramids, and at the end of the day, we lost.

“So, we want to do better in the League, which means we’re going for the League title. We’ll see where the group stage will bring us to.”

Rivers United reached the CAF Champions League group stage last season. But Finidi wants his new team to go further this time.

One major topic ahead of the second leg is Rivers United’s use of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo as their home for continental matches. For Finidi, the stadium already feels like home. He has asked Akwa Ibom supporters to see Rivers United as a Nigerian team representing the country.

“For me, this is our home.

“Rivers United have been coming to this place for a couple of years. So, personally, since this is a Nigerian team, I personally urge the Akwa-Ibom fans to come out and support the Nigerian team.

“Not just Rivers United, but the Nigerian team. If you can do that, which I expect them to do, it will go a long way.

“So, I want to beg the fans of Akwa-Ibom to come out and support us. We need their support. So, when the game ends, at least, we’ll do our own part to make them happy.”

He added: “So, I beg them to come out and support the Nigerian team. I’m not even calling Rivers United, it’s a team from Nigeria. So, I beg them to come out and support us.”

Rivers United captain Stephen Manyo also spoke about the game's importance, especially for younger players who want to use continental football to advance their careers. Manyo believes the Champions League is a key chance for players aiming for top football leagues in Europe.

“This is a big moment, a big opportunity for us all. We have younger players who want to grow, who want to play in big cities, not only in Africa, but in top football in Europe.

“So, I’ve tried at least to talk to them. If you really want to play football to the biggest leagues, this is the biggest platform you have in Africa. So, you have to step up as a person.

“You don’t really need me to push you that much for you to play. You have to play for yourself first. Play for your family, because you have family at home looking after you. So, you have to push yourself as a person.”

The captain also warned his teammates against distractions that could affect their game. He stressed that the responsibility for success lies with each player.

“Whatever distractions you’re having, you have to put that aside and focus, because it’s your career. If you don’t succeed, there are many people waiting for you to laugh at you. So, this is the biggest moment of football in Africa.

“So, try to push yourself as hard as you can to see yourself at the top level. Because I believe they have the qualities, just the willingness to do it. If they are willing to do it, I believe they will achieve great things.

“So, I’m trying as much as possible, one on one, trying to psyche them up, to motivate them. That you have this in you. You don’t have to let yourself down, you don’t have to let the team down. So, you have to push yourself. Because this is your career, you must make it.”

For Manyo, being the captain of Rivers United is a serious responsibility. The team wants to make a mark in Nigeria and Africa.

He acknowledged that the captaincy comes with pressure, but believes staying calm is key to leading younger players well.

“For me, I feel great captaining this prestigious team. It’s not a small team, both in Nigeria and Africa. So, I feel happy as a person. My experience has been good.

“I know there will be a lot of pressure. Because when the boys are not doing well, they come back to the captain. What are your boys doing?

“So, for me, I feel the pressure will be there. But this is my job as the captain. I have to try as much as possible to be calm. Because if I’m not calm, the boys cannot be calm. As a captain, I have to be calm to lead the boys.

“In troubled times, when things are not going well, I have to stay calm so as to lead them well.”

Manyo also joined Finidi in asking the people of Akwa Ibom to fill the stadium and support Rivers United in this crucial match. The defender shared that the state means a lot to him because his mother is from Akwa Ibom.

“This is where my mother is from. This is my mother’s place. I’m from Akwa crossing. So, I urge you to come and support us.

“Because this is my place, this is my home too. So, I urge you to come and support us. Because we need that 12th man. That 12th man is really important for football. Without that 12th man, we don’t know how we can perform.

“Just like, if you go to other African countries, only the presence of the fans serves as extra motivation for their players. So, we really need that 12th man for that extra motivation. As a source of strength for us too.”

Rivers United will now focus on getting the support of the Uyo crowd to achieve the result they need. The tie remains balanced after the first-leg draw in Côte d’Ivoire.