Rivers United head coach Finidi George said his team must defeat Katsina United this Sunday to maintain their hopes for the NPFL title.
The match serves as the final day of the 2025/2026 campaign [1]. A victory in Port Harcourt is critical because the club needs to secure its own points before relying on other league results to clinch the championship.
George, a former Super Eagles winger, is steering the club through a high-stakes finish to the season. The team's momentum was recently challenged by a loss to Bayelsa United, but George remains optimistic about the club's trajectory.
"Isolated setbacks will not affect our title chase; we remain firmly in contention," George said.
The coach said that the team cannot leave their fate to chance. He said that the squad must focus on their immediate performance at their home ground in Port Harcourt.
"We must first handle our own assignment against Katsina United before hoping results elsewhere swing in our favour," George said.
The league's conclusion is expected to be highly contested. The battle for the title involves several teams, including Rangers, and Enyimba, creating a volatile environment for the final standings.
A spokesperson for GTI Asset Management described the current state of the league as unprecedentedly competitive. The spokesperson said, "The league has never been this competitive – a dramatic finale is what fans deserve."
Rivers United will look to capitalize on their home-field advantage to secure the three points necessary to stay in the title race. The outcome of the Sunday match will determine if George can lead the team to a dramatic triumph.
“"Isolated setbacks will not affect our title chase; we remain firmly in contention."”
The 2025/2026 NPFL season is concluding with a rare multi-team race, placing immense pressure on Rivers United to perform. Because the title depends on a combination of their own victory and specific results from rivals, the match against Katsina United is a prerequisite for any championship claim rather than a formality.
