Rivers United were crowned Nigerian league champions on Sunday after Plateau United were defeated 2-1 at Akwa United, giving the Port Harcourt side an unassailable lead with three rounds of matches remaining.
Rivers United, who play away at Nasarawa United later Sunday, has 71 points from 34 matches, 10 points ahead of Plateau United, who have played 35 matches, and Remo Stars, who have played 35 matches, are a distant third on 53 points.
United will compete in the CAF Champions League next season if they win the league.
It is Rivers United’s first major award since their formation in 2016 as a result of the merger of Port Harcourt’s two top clubs, Dolphins and Sharks.
They are owned by the oil-rich Rivers State Government, which has turned them into one of Nigeria’s best-run clubs.
Chijoke Akuneto, the league’s joint leading scorer with 16 goals, and winger Ishaq Kayode, who has 15 goals, play for the club dubbed “The Pride of Rivers.”
Last season, Rivers United finished second to Akwa United, another club funded by an oil-rich government.
It is Rivers United’s first major award since their formation in 2016 as a result of the merger of Port Harcourt’s two top clubs, Dolphins and Sharks.
They are owned by the oil-rich Rivers State Government, which has turned them into one of Nigeria’s best-run clubs.
Chijoke Akuneto, the league’s joint leading scorer with 16 goals, and winger Ishaq Kayode, who has 15 goals, play for the club dubbed “The Pride of Rivers.”
Last season, Rivers United finished second to Akwa United, another club funded by an oil-rich government.
