Rivers United Football Club has secured qualification for the CAF Champions League after finishing second in the 2024-25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, marking their return to continental football since the 2023-24 campaign.

The club's General Manager, Dr. Okey Kpalukwu, has called on the players and officials to maintain their focus ahead of the continental challenge while expressing gratitude for their performance in the just-concluded domestic season.

"I must say thank you for what you have helped us to achieve this season but there is even a greater task ahead," Kpalukwu stated during a meeting with the entire Rivers United team. "I want to charge you to remain focused even as you make good use of this break to refresh."

The Pride of Rivers, as they are fondly called, will be making their return to Africa's premier club competition after a season's absence. Their last continental appearance was in the 2023-24 season.

Rivers United's second-place finish in the NPFL represents a significant achievement for the Port Harcourt-based club, who will now shift their attention to preparing for the demands of competing against Africa's elite clubs in the CAF Champions League.

The 2024-25 NPFL season concluded with several other notable outcomes, including Nasarawa United's Anas Yusuf claiming the top scorer award, while Heartland FC and Akwa United were relegated on the final day of the season.

As Rivers United prepares for continental football, Nigerian football fans will be eager to see how the club performs against Africa's best when the CAF Champions League kicks off later this year.