Finidi George Explains Rivers United Overhaul, Targets CAF Champions League Progress

According to the former Super Eagles coach, the decision to bring in several younger players was not solely influenced by the team's disappointing campaign in the Champions League last season.

Finidi said the club felt a change was necessary after the existing squad had reached its peak following two successive second-place finishes in the domestic league.

“We needed fresh energy, fresh and younger players,” Finidi explained, stressing that the club believes the new additions have the quality to compete at the highest level.

The Rivers United boss said his assessment of the new-look squad has strengthened his belief that the team can successfully navigate the preliminary rounds of the Champions League.

“From what I've seen in that first game, I'm optimistic that we're going to go through and play the next round of these preliminaries,” he said.

The coach also admitted that Rivers United must learn from last season's shortcomings, particularly their inability to secure a victory in the Champions League group stage.

Rivers United had opportunities to claim important results against Beitar Jerusalem and Pyramids but ultimately failed to turn those chances into wins.

Finidi believes those missed opportunities must serve as a lesson as the club prepares for another continental campaign.

“Last season is gone. So, we'll try to work on what we felt didn't work last season, especially in the Champions League,” he stated.

For the new campaign, however, Finidi insists Rivers United's ambitions extend beyond simply participating in the competition.

The coach wants the club to challenge for silverware domestically while also making a deeper impact on the continent.

“We don't just want to compete. We also want to win games,” Finidi said.

Rivers United are therefore targeting success on two fronts, with the NPFL title firmly among their priorities alongside a strong CAF Champions League campaign.

Having narrowly missed out on the league title in each of the last two seasons, Finidi believes the club must now take the next step and turn consistent performances into trophies.

The immediate focus, though, remains the second leg against FC San Pedro, where Rivers United will look to secure passage into the next round of the Champions League preliminaries.

With a revamped squad, younger players and renewed ambition, Finidi is confident Rivers United can put last season's disappointments behind them and begin a new chapter on both the domestic and continental fronts.