Rivers United players have received a $2,000 cash reward from club administrator Christopher Green following their hard-fought 1-1 draw against FC San Pedro in the first leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary-round tie in Côte d’Ivoire.
The reward was presented as recognition of the team’s determination and commitment after the Pride of Rivers recovered from a goal down to secure a valuable away draw at the Laurent Pokou Stadium on Saturday.
San Pedro took the lead 11 minutes into the second half when Issouf Dosso capitalised on space in the Rivers United defence to put the Ivorian side ahead. Rivers United responded strongly, with substitute Iyowuna Douglas restoring parity in the 69th minute with a composed finish inside the box.
Green, a former Nigeria Football Federation executive committee member and former chairman of the federation’s Technical Committee, said the financial gesture was intended to acknowledge the players’ effort and fighting spirit.
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The administrator has already rewarded the squad earlier this season, handing the players a N2 million bonus after their 2-0 victory over Plateau United on the opening day of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League campaign.
The latest reward comes at an important stage of Rivers United’s continental campaign, with the team now preparing for the decisive second leg.
The return fixture is scheduled to take place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, next Sunday. The winner over the two legs will advance to the next round of the CAF Champions League.
For head coach Finidi George and his players, the away draw represents an encouraging result, particularly for a largely rebuilt squad with limited continental experience. Captain Stephen Manyo had earlier insisted that Rivers United were ready for the challenge and would not be intimidated by their opponents.
With the tie finely balanced, Rivers United will now look to complete the job on home soil and continue their quest for a place in the next stage of Africa’s premier club competition.
