{{short description|Nigerian football club}} {{EngvarB|date=September 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox football club | clubname = Rivers United | image = Rivers_United_FC_(logo).png | fullname = Rivers Is .... Football Club | nickname = ''The Pride of Rivers'' | founded = {{start date and age|2016}} | ground = Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium<br>Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria | capacity = 38,000 | manager = Finidi George | league = Nigeria Professional Football League | season = 2024–25 | position = Nigeria Professional Football League, 2nd of 20 | website = | pattern_la1 = | pattern_b1 = | pattern_ra1 = | leftarm1 = 0000FF | body1 = 0000FF | rightarm1 = 0000FF | shorts1 = 0000FF | socks1 = 0000FF | pattern_la2 = | pattern_b2 = | pattern_ra2 = | leftarm2 = | body2 = | rightarm2 = | shorts2 = | socks2 = | }}
'''Rivers United Football Club''' is a Nigerian professional football club based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, that participates in the Nigerian Professional Football League, the highest level of domestic Nigerian football. The club was formed by the merger of Sharks F.C. and Dolphins F.C. in 2016. Their home stadium was the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, formerly Liberation Stadium, in Elekahia that has a seating capacity of 30,000.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dolphins, Sharks merged, now Rivers Utd F.C.|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/02/rivers-govt-merges-dolphins-sharks-to-form-rivers-utd-fc/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=23 February 2016|date=19 February 2016|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref> They moved to the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in 2020. The stadium, renovated in 2020, has a capacity of 40,000.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/09/29/rivers-utd-rivers-angels-to-use-amiesimaka-stadium-for-home-matches/ | title=Rivers Utd, Rivers Angels to Use Amiesimaka Stadium for Home Matches|newspaper=This Day}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.completesports.com/ha/iyaye-hails-gov-wikes-initiative-in-renovating-facilities-for-rivers-united-rivers-angels/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria| title=Iyaye Ya yabawa Yunkurin Gov. Wike a Gyaran Kayayyaki Ga Rivers United, Rivers Angels | date=28 September 2020 |newspaper=Complete Sports}}</ref> There is also a female team, Rivers Angels F.C., which is one of the best in Nigeria and Africa.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cafonline.com/news-center/news/nigeria-resilient-rivers-angels-retain-women-s-league-title|title=Nigeria – Resilient Rivers Angels retain Women's League title|first=CAF-Confedération Africaine du|last=Football|website=CAFOnline.com}}</ref>
Rivers United FC has remained in the top flight since its first season. In the 2020-2021 CAF Confederation Cup season, Rivers defeated South African opponent Bloemfontein Celtic home and away to set up a highly anticipated matchup against neighbors Enyimba in the final qualifying round for a spot in the group stage. They lost the tie on penalties after a 1–1 aggregate scoreline<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.completesports.com/cafcc-rivers-united-thrash-bloemfontein-celtic-book-date-with-enyimba/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria| title=CAFCC: Rivers United Thrash Bloemfontein Celtic, Book Date with Enyimba | date=23 January 2021 |newspaper=Complete Sports}}</ref>
==History== Rivers United was founded in 2016 after the Rivers state government got permission to merge Dolphins FC and Sharks FC. Both clubs were run by the state government and were experiencing financial difficulty.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/rivers-united-fc-dolphins-sharks-fc-merge-to-form-new-club/f9chb56|title=Dolphins, Sharks F.C merge to form new club|date=19 February 2016|newspaper=Pulse Nigeria}}</ref> Sharks were relegated to the First Division in 2015 while Dolphins had barely escaped relegation after drawing their final match.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.legit.ng/736160-dolphins-sharks-change-name-rivers-united.html|title=Dolphins, Sharks change name to Rivers United|first=Babajide|last=Orevba|date=19 February 2016|newspaper=Legit.ng|access-date=25 October 2018|archive-date=31 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831015608/https://www.legit.ng/736160-dolphins-sharks-change-name-rivers-united.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Rivers United's crest contains both a shark and a dolphin as a result of the merge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4111/npfl/2016/02/19/20494532/dolphins-renamed-rivers-united-football-club|title=Dolphins renamed Rivers United Football Club | Goal.com|publisher=Goal}}</ref>
Stanley Eguma was appointed coach and led them to a win in their first league match, 1–0 over Enyimba.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2016/06/we-cant-lose-to-enyimba-rivers-united.html|title='We can't lose to Enyimba'- Rivers United coach Stanley Eguma stokes up the fire ahead of must win title cracker this week|date=6 June 2016|website=Linda Ikeji's Blog}}</ref>
The club finished second in the 2016 Nigerian Premier League which qualified them for the 2017 CAF Champions League for the first time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theeagleonline.com.ng/caf-clubs-competitions-draws-north-african-ties-for-rangers-fc-ifeanyi-ubah/|title=CAF clubs competitions draws: North African ties for Rangers, FC Ifeanyi Ubah|date=22 December 2016}}</ref> A four-goal second-leg win over Mali's AS Bamako with Esosa Igbinoba and Bernard Ovoke each scoring a brace put Rivers past the preliminary round.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://supersport.com/football/caf-champions-league/news/170220/Rivers_United_trash_Real_Bamako|title=Rivers United trash Real Bamako|website=supersport.com}}</ref> However, they were eliminated by Sudan's Al-Merrikh 4–3 on aggregate in the first round after losing a 3–0 first round lead.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/60438-2/ |title=CAFCL: Rivers United Blow Big First Leg Lead Vs Al-Merrikh, Crash Out |last=Agberebi |first=James |date=18 March 2017 |access-date=25 October 2018 |archive-date=25 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025150243/https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/60438-2/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
=== 2021–22: Nigerian Professional League Champions ===
[[File:Rivers United defender, Enyinnaya Godswill, during a CAF Confederation Cup match against Dreams FC at Godswill Akpabio Stadium on March 3, 2024.jpg|thumb|250px|Enyinnaya Godswill in a jersey of Rivers United]]
On 25 June 2022, Rivers United won their first Nigeria Professional Football League title with four games to spare after Akwa United beat their nearest challengers, Plateau United 2–1 in Uyo.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-25 |title=Rivers United claim maiden NPFL crown after Plateau United lose in Uyo |url=https://sportsration.com/rivers-united-claim-maiden-npfl-crown-after-plateau-united-lose-in-uyo/ |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=Nigeria sports news, transfers & gossips}}</ref>
Rivers United ended the season with 77 points, breaking the league record of 73 points in a season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rivers United Lift 2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League Trophy as Dakkada Beat Drop on Last Day. – Inspiration FM, #1 Family Radio Station |date=18 July 2022 |url=https://ifm1059.com/2022/07/18/rivers-united-lift-2021-22-nigeria-professional-football-league-trophy-as-dakkada-beat-drop-on-last-day/ |access-date=2022-12-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chidiezie |first=Jidechi |date=2022-07-18 |title=10 things you should know about the 2022 NPFL champions Rivers United |url=https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/10-things-you-should-know-about-the-npfl-2022-champions-rivers-united/55cdf1h |access-date=2022-12-11 |newspaper=Pulse Nigeria}}</ref>
The 2021–22 Nigeria Professional Football League title is their first league title since the merger between Dolphins and Sharks FC of Port Harcourt in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-06-26 |title=Rivers United win first Nigerian league title |url=https://editor.guardian.ng/sport/rivers-united-win-first-nigerian-league-title/ |access-date=2022-12-11 |newspaper=The Guardian|location=Nigeria |archive-date=11 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211204415/https://editor.guardian.ng/sport/rivers-united-win-first-nigerian-league-title/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is also the first NPFL title by a Rivers-based side since the Dolphins won in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-25 |title=Rivers United claim maiden NPFL crown after Plateau United lose in Uyo |url=https://sportsration.com/rivers-united-claim-maiden-npfl-crown-after-plateau-united-lose-in-uyo/ |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=SportsRation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-04 |title=NPFL: Eguma hails dogged Pillars after sealing record points |url=https://punchng.com/npfl-eguma-hails-dogged-pillars-after-sealing-record-points/ |access-date=2022-12-11 |newspaper=The Punch}}</ref>
Rivers United won 23 games, drew 8, and lost 7 of their 38 league games as they claimed the 2021-22 league title with 10 points ahead of their closest rivals, Plateau United.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leaders Rivers United 10 points clear after big win over closest rivals Plateau United – Score Nigeria |url=https://scorenigeria.com.ng/leaders-rivers-united-10-points-clear-after-big-win-over-closest-rivals-plateau-united/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627155052/https://scorenigeria.com.ng/leaders-rivers-united-10-points-clear-after-big-win-over-closest-rivals-plateau-united/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=27 June 2022 |access-date=2022-12-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2021-22 league title NPFL azscore.ng |url=https://azscore.ng/ |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=azscore.ng}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rivers United |url=https://betsapi.com/t/20193/Rivers-United |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=betsapi.com}}</ref>
Rivers united players and officials were awarded $20,000 each by the Rivers state government for their league triumph in 2022 and were promised another US$40,000 if they qualify for the 2022-2023 Caf champions league group stage.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.thecable.ng/wike-redeems-20k-promise-to-each-rivers-united-players-for-winning-npfl | title=Wike redeems $20k promise to each Rivers United players for winning NPFL | date=24 December 2022 |newspaper=TheCable}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.channelstv.com/2022/07/21/wike-gifts-rivers-united-players-20000-each-trip-to-madrid-medal/|title=Wike Gifts Rivers United Players $20,000 Each, Trip To Madrid, Medal – Channels Television}}</ref>
== Honours ==
=== Domestic === *'''Nigerian Professional Football League''' ** '''Champions (1): 2021–22''' ** '''Third Place: 2022–23'''
==Performance in CAF competitions== *'''CAF Champions League: 3 appearances''' ::2017 – First Round ::2022 – second Round ::2022–23 – Second Round
*'''CAF Confederation Cup: 4 appearances''' ::2017 – Group stage ::2020–21 – Play-off round ::2021–22 – Play-off round ::2022–23 – Quarter Finals
==Staff== '''Head coach''' *{{flagicon|Nigeria}} Finidi George '''Assistant coach''' *{{flagicon|Nigeria}} Fatai Osho '''Acting General Manager''' * Okey Kpalukwu '''Welfare Secretary''' * Albert Chinwo '''Media officer''' * Mayuku Charles<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://supersport.com/football/nigeria/news/160219/Rivers_Utd_get_management_team|title=Rivers Utd get management team|website=supersport.com}}</ref>
==Current squad== ''Updated 8 February 2024''
{{Fs start}} {{Fs player|no=1 |nat=Nigeria|name=Abiodun Akande|pos=GK}} {{Fs player|no=2 |nat=Nigeria|name=Muyiwa Fehintola|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no=3 |nat=Ghana|name=Emmanuel Ampiah|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no=4 |nat=Nigeria|name=John Uche Akubueze|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no=5 |nat=Nigeria|name=Ebedebiri Endurance|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no=6 |nat=Nigeria|name=Enyinnaya Godswill|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no=7 |nat=Nigeria|name=Suleiman Abba|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no=8 |nat=Nigeria|name=Ukeme Williams|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no=9 |nat=Liberia|name=Mark Gibson|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no=10|nat=Nigeria|name=Alex Oyowah|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no=11|nat=Nigeria|name=Shedrack Asiegbu|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no=12|nat=Liberia|name=Albert Korvah|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no=13|nat=Nigeria|name=Adeleke Adekunle|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no=14|nat=Nigeria|name=Paul Onobi|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no=16|nat=Nigeria|name=Victor Soshima|pos=GK}} {{Fs player|no=17|nat=Ghana|name=Farouk Mohammed|pos=MF}} {{Fs mid}} {{Fs player|no=18|nat=Nigeria|name=Chiamaka Madu|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no=19|nat=Nigeria|name=Paul Odeh|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no=20|nat=Nigeria|name=Joseph Onoja|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no=21|nat=Ghana|name=Mutawakilu Seidu|pos=GK}} {{Fs player|no=23|nat=Ghana|name=Paul Acquah|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no=25|nat=Nigeria|name=Augustine Okejepha|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no=26|nat= CIV |name=Bernard Yao Kouassi|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no=27|nat= GHA |name=Samuel Antwi|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no=28|nat=Nigeria|name=Nwangwa Nyima|pos=FW}} (Captain) {{Fs player|no=29|nat=Nigeria|name=Ossy Martins|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no=30|nat=Nigeria|name=Chibuzor Ezeh|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no=31|nat=Nigeria|name=Azeez Godswill|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no=32|nat=Nigeria|name=Andy Okpe|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no=33|nat=Nigeria|name=Temple Emekayi|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no=34|nat=Nigeria|name=Osagie Onisodumeya|pos=GK}} {{fs end}}
== Rivers Angels == Further information: Rivers Angels F.C.
'''Rivers Angels F.C.''' (formerly '''Larry Angels F.C.''') is a '''Nigerian professional football club''' based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. They play in the '''Nigeria Women Premier League''', the top flight division in the female soccer league system in Nigeria<small>.</small>
==Notes== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.flashscore.com.ng/team/rivers-united/b1JSz0K3/results/ Rivers United FC Results] – current results of Rivers United FC matches
{{Nigerian Premier League}}
Category:Association football clubs established in 2016 Category:Football clubs in Port Harcourt Category:2016 establishments in Nigeria Category:2010s establishments in Rivers State Category:Sports clubs and teams in Nigeria