Rivers State Commissioner for Sports and former NFF Technical Committee Chairman, Barrister Chris Green, has issued a bold rallying cry for Nigerian football, insisting that the nation must “compete with champions to become champions” following Rivers United’s tough CAF Champions League draw.
Speaking from Johannesburg, where the 2022 NPFL champions were placed in a challenging Group A alongside Pyramids FC of Egypt, RS Berkane of Morocco, and Power Dynamos of Zambia, Green embraced the task ahead, framing it as the true test of elite football pedigree.
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“Victory is what counts now — and you can’t be a champion without playing with champions,” Green stated, urging Rivers United to rise to the occasion rather than fear the opposition.
Describing the draw as a wake-up call for Nigeria’s elite clubs, Green appealed to other NPFL sides to prioritise continental participation and join what he called a “collective crusade to salvage Nigerian football’s reputation” on the African stage.
He expressed concern over the limited Nigerian representation in CAF competitions in recent years and stressed that consistent continental exposure is the only route to rebuilding the status, respect, and competitiveness of Nigerian club football.
Beyond sporting ambition, Green also shed light on the logistical and financial strain faced by Rivers United, particularly the high cost of hosting CAF fixtures away from Port Harcourt, with the team forced to play in Uyo due to stadium approval issues.
He confirmed that plans are in motion to return international football to Port Harcourt, insisting that both the state government and relevant stakeholders are pushing to ensure Rivers United’s home matches are hosted on home soil — a move expected to boost fan support, reduce cost, and restore the city’s football prestige.
As Rivers United prepare for what is arguably the toughest CAF Champions League group of the season, Green’s message is crystal clear: Nigeria must stop playing catch-up and start competing like a football nation with championship DNA
