Rivers United head coach Finidi George has declared that reclaiming the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title and making a significant impact in the CAF Champions League are the club’s two major objectives for the new season.
The former Super Eagles winger revealed that the Port Harcourt club has strengthened its squad ahead of the campaign but admitted that one crucial area remains unresolved—the search for a prolific centre-forward.
Speaking ahead of the new season, Finidi disclosed that Rivers United explored several options across the African transfer market in an effort to recruit a top striker capable of leading the team’s attack.
However, he admitted that the club’s search has so far been unsuccessful due to the scarcity of quality number nines currently available on the continent.
“Our ambition is to win the league after narrowly missing out last season and also go much further in the CAF Champions League,” Finidi said.
The former Ajax and Real Betis star explained that while Rivers United identified a number of attacking targets, completing deals proved difficult because elite strikers have become increasingly difficult to find.
“We’ve searched across Africa for a top centre-forward, but it hasn’t been easy. There aren’t many quality strikers available in the market at the moment,” he added.
Rivers United finished among the league’s leading contenders last season but ultimately fell short of the title, a disappointment Finidi believes has only strengthened the team’s determination heading into the new campaign.
The experienced tactician is expected to lead the Pride of Rivers back into continental competition, where the club will aim to improve on previous outings and establish itself as one of Africa’s emerging forces.
Despite the challenges in the transfer market, Finidi remains confident in the quality of his squad and believes collective effort will be just as important as individual brilliance in achieving the club’s objectives.
The shortage of proven goalscorers has become a growing concern for several clubs across Africa, with increasing numbers of elite forwards securing moves abroad, leaving domestic sides scrambling for quality replacements.
For Rivers United, solving that problem could be the difference between another near miss and a season to remember.
As preparations enter the final stretch, Finidi’s message is clear: the ambition remains unchanged. Rivers United are determined to challenge on every front, even as the search for the right striker continues.
