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Nigerian Community welcomes Rivers United to Mozambique ahead of CAF Champions League clash
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
The Nigerian community in Mozambique gave Rivers United FC a warm reception as the Pride of Rivers arrived in Maputo ahead of their CAF TotalEnergies Champions League second preliminary round tie against Black Bulls.
Upon their arrival at Maputo International Airport on Thursday, the team’s contingent — led by the club’s General Manager, Chief Dr. Okey Kpalukwu — was received by representatives of the Nigerian Ambassador to Mozambique and later hosted at the Nigerian Embassy.
At the reception, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mozambique, Mr. Aminu Abdulhamid, charged Rivers United to make the nation proud, assuring the team of the embassy’s full backing.
“I want to welcome you to Mozambique and assure you that our doors are open 24 hours for you,” said the Ambassador. “We will mobilize the Nigerian community to ensure strong support for you at the stadium.”
Chief Dr. Kpalukwu, who also serves as a board member of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and Chairman of the NPFL Club Owners Association, expressed gratitude to the Nigerian mission for their hospitality. Alongside Dr. Ayo Abdulrahaman, who represented the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), he thanked the Ambassador and the Nigerian community for their warm welcome and pledged that the team would give their best on the continent.
Technical Manager Finidi George also spoke confidently about the team’s readiness, emphasizing that Rivers United will fight hard to secure a positive result in the first leg before returning home.
Rivers United are scheduled to face Black Bulls on Saturday, October 18, at the Estádio do Zimpeto in Maputo. The Nigerian contingent has been assured of a strong local turnout, with many members of the diaspora expected to rally behind the team.
As a gesture of appreciation, Chief Dr. Kpalukwu presented Rivers United replica jerseys to Ambassador Abdulhamid and embassy officials, symbolizing the unity and shared pride of Nigerians at home and abroad.
