Rivers United players received $20,000 each from Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike as a reward for winning the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) championship in the 2021–2022 season.
Wike made the announcement at a lavish reception held for the team on Thursday in Port Harcourt. The Port Harcourt Dwellers claimed the championship for the first time after defeating Plateau United. Chijoke Akuneto, a forward for the team, finished as the top scorer with 19 goals.
Along with receiving a cash award, the players and their representatives will train in Madrid, Spain for two weeks before the starting of the 2022–23 season.
In addition, Wike offered the players $40,000 if they advance to the CAF Champions League group stage the next year.
No football club from Nigeria has ever won the CAF Champions League title since Enyimba won it back to back in 2003 and 2004.
However, Rivers United had an impressive run in the 2021/22 Nigerian Professional Football League which was why they won the championship. The club’s excellent form saw them finish with 23 wins, 8 draws, and 7 losses.
Gov. Wike rewards each member of Rivers United with $20K each.
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) July 21, 2022
He promised that the team will spend 2 weeks in Madrid to prepare for the new NPFL season.
Madrid Tour ✅
This performance finally kept Rivers United at 1st out of 20 teams in the NPFL table with a 61% win ratio throughout the campaign. Rivers United also had an amazing home win with 18 wins, 1 draw, and 0 losses.
And their away form is considered excellent, as a result of 5 wins, 7 draws, and 7 losses. The Port Harcourt-based football team scored a total of 58 goals this season in NPFL. Rivers United and Plateau United will represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions League next season.
The race for the third position which guarantees a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup was taken by Remo Stars. However, barely a week after Rivers’ celebrations came into full swing, MFM’s relegation was confirmed.
The Mountain Of Fire Ministry football team surprised a lot of people when they entered the league a few years ago. Also known as the Olukoya Boys, they played a beautiful style of football under manager Fidelis Ilechukwu. Also, Heartland FC and Kano Pillars have been relegated from the league.
Meanwhile, Chijioke Nnamdi Akuneto has been rated as one of the best players in the 2021/22 NPFL campaign. The prolific striker finished the season with 19 goals and more than 7 assists with Rivers United. Ishaq Kayode Rafiu from Rivers United is another player who had fans at the edge of their seats throughout the season.
