By China Acheru
When Taiwo whipped that freekick into the box and it was headed out to the feet of Stephen Manyo, the fans at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium probably feared it would be another wasted Rivers United attack.
But Manyo’s pass found Timothy Zechariah, who controlled the ball neatly with his right foot, turned, and unleashed a volley, one of the best goals you’ll see anywhere this season. The crowd erupted, and as we all rose to our feet in celebration, I turned to my travel companions- Cyril Dum Wite, Kingsley Olisa, and Carl Orakwue, and asked:
“Was this celebration about the goal itself, or the fact that it guarantees us at least three more trips to Uyo this year?”
Whatever the reason, Rivers United had done it, and had qualified for the CAF Champions League group stage, the first Nigerian club to achieve that since 2018.
Finidi Ball: Frustrating or the Real Deal?
“Finidi Ball” can be fascinating, frustrating, or downright intriguing, depending on who you are and why you’re watching.
I remember taking a group of sports journalists to Omoku during Finidi George’s first pre-season camp as a coach at Enyimba. At Krisdera Hotel Stadium, he explained what his football philosophy would look like, and we saw glimpses of it in action.
At Rivers United, that philosophy has evolved. When the pitch is good, the team plays beautifully: slow, deliberate build-ups from the back, patient passing, and sudden strikes when opportunity appears. That’s Finidi Ball, no rush, no panic, just calm, methodical football.
But for the average Nigerian fan, it can be nerve-racking, especially when the team needs a goal. The instinct is to shout, “Play long balls!” But Finidi stays seated, trusting the process.
During the match in Uyo, after Wasiu Falolu and Maclyn Biokpo put Rivers United 2- 0 ahead, it looked like a done deal until Moctar Diallo’s goal for Black Bullets made it 2–1. With Bullets ahead on away goals, tension rose. Yet Finidi didn’t flinch. No touchline theatrics, no shouting.
Fans were angry. “Why is he not yelling instructions? Why are we not attacking?” But Rivers United just kept playing their way. Finidi Ball.
After the match, Finidi simply said:
“Black Bullets were not a better team than us. I was never under pressure.”
Calm. Classic. Finidi.
Full House at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium
The atmosphere was electric, with football royalty everywhere. The NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, and NPFL Chief of Operations, Davidson Owumi, were in attendance.
I didn’t get to speak with Owumi (the league’s top scorer in 1985), but I did share a quick word with Gusau. My parting words to him were:
“I like what you’re doing.”
He laughed, slapped me on the shoulder, and we moved on.
Just weeks earlier, I’d told him he needed to be more visible. As the face of Nigerian football he should speak often and directly. And to his credit, days later he did just that: videos, interviews, statements too. He listened. That’s why I meant it when I said I liked what he was doing.
CAF Champions League Group Stage: A Long Time Coming
In 1998, Eagle Cement FC, coached by David Egbiri, became the first Nigerian club to reach the CAF Champions League group stage.
In 2025, Rivers United, under Finidi George, became the first in seven years to do it again.
Love him or loathe him, Finidi has achieved something symbolic, a reminder that progress comes in small steps. Critics may scoff, asking why Nigerians celebrate mere group-stage qualification while others win the trophy. But progress deserves recognition.
Congratulations to Finidi George, Rivers United, and Nigeria.
Goodbye, Pikin of God
On my way back to Port Harcourt, the news hit me- Promise Uwaeme, popularly known as Pikin of God, was gone.
I’m still in shock. All I can pray is, “May your soul rest in peace.”
I met Pikin of God in Omoku around 2017, and we became friends instantly. Whenever he came to Port Harcourt, he’d call two days ahead, and we’d always find time to hang out.
In 2020, just before the COVID lockdown, I was in Abuja and he visited my hotel, promising to design the cover of my first book for free.
In 2023, when I travelled to Abuja to film a documentary on Nigeria’s AFCON-winning players, he was right there helping with interviews of Brown Ideye, Ogenyi Onazi, and Fegor Ogude.
A cheerful soul. A true professional. A friend.
Goodbye, Pikin of God. You were a gentleman.
