The latest African club rankings released after the group stages of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup have offered a sobering reflection of Nigerian football’s current continental standing, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Out of 77 clubs evaluated across Africa, the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has only two representatives in the rankings. Rivers United sit 22nd with 15 points, while Enyimba are placed 42nd with just four points.
Rivers United: Competitive but Constrained
At first glance, Rivers United’s 22nd-place ranking suggests a respectable position within the upper tier of African football. However, a deeper look reveals the limitations of their recent campaign.
A challenging group-stage outing in the CAF Champions League — where they managed one draw and five defeats — significantly curtailed their coefficient gains. Those lost opportunities not only stalled their upward trajectory but also weakened Nigeria’s overall continental coefficient.
As the last remaining Nigerian club in continental competition this season, Rivers United effectively carried the country’s ambitions. Their role as the NPFL’s sole standard-bearer highlights the pressure placed on one team to uphold national relevance on the African stage.
Enyimba’s Decline Signals Wider Regression
The contrast with Enyimba is particularly telling. Once Nigeria’s benchmark of continental excellence, their current 42nd-place position underscores the regression experienced by Nigerian clubs over the past decade.
While Rivers United compete against established North and Southern African powerhouses, they also shoulder the burden of maintaining Nigeria’s competitiveness largely on their own.
Rankings Carry Real Consequences
Continental rankings extend beyond prestige. They directly influence seedings, qualification slots, and perceptions of a league’s competitive strength. Clubs that consistently reach quarter-finals and semi-finals build their standing through sustained performance across multiple seasons — something Nigerian clubs have struggled to replicate in recent years.
Though 22nd among 77 clubs, Rivers United is within the upper third; the gap between them and Africa’s elite remains significant. Without deeper runs in CAF competitions, Nigeria’s coefficient risks further decline.
Looking ahead, the pressure intensifies. Should Rivers United qualify again for continental football next season, their results will once more shape Nigeria’s ranking and determine its future allocation of CAF tournament slots.
For now, Rivers United represents both Nigeria’s strongest continental hope and a reminder of the structural improvements required to bridge the widening gap with Africa’s dominant forces.