Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF Champions League, Rivers United, sealed their place in the group stage after a hard-fought 3–1 victory over Mozambique’s Black Bulls in the second leg of their second-round clash on Saturday.

Goals from Wasiu Falolu, Maclyn Biokpo, and Timothy Zachariah powered the Pride of Rivers to a 3–2 aggregate win, overturning their narrow first-leg defeat in Matola.

Rivers United began the match on the front foot and were rewarded in the 15th minute when summer signing Wasiu Falolu opened the scoring. The momentum continued as Maclyn Biokpo converted from the penalty spot just before halftime to double their advantage a lead they fully deserved going into the break.

The visitors, however, came out stronger in the second half and quickly reduced the deficit through Moctar Diallo’s strike two minutes after the restart. But with ten minutes remaining, former Ikorodu City forward Timothy Zachariah struck the decisive goal to restore Rivers United’s two-goal cushion and seal the tie.

The victory means Rivers United have qualified for the CAF Champions League group stage for the first time in their history, becoming the first Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side to achieve the feat since Lobi Stars in 2019.

The Pride of Rivers will discover their group stage opponents on Monday, November 3, 2025, when the draw takes place at the studios of CAF’s broadcast partner, SuperSport, in Johannesburg, South Africa.