Rivers United players have received a $2,000 cash reward from club administrator Barr. Christopher Green after their 1-1 draw away to FC San Pedro in the first leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round.
The incentive followed Saturday’s hard-fought contest at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in Ivory Coast, where Rivers United secured a valuable result ahead of the return fixture.
Green, a former Executive Committee member and Technical Committee Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), said the payment was intended to recognise the players’ effort and their commitment to the club’s ambitions.
“It was a good result coming from a commitment and doggedness of the team to succeed,” Green said.
“And as a responsible management, such effort deserves appreciation, hence the reward.”
Rivers United fell behind after the interval when Lacing Dosso put the home side ahead. The Nigerian team responded soon afterwards, with Douglas Iyowune scoring to restore parity and earn the Pride of Rivers a point on the road.
The result gives the Finidi George-managed side a competitive platform before the second leg, which will be played on Sunday at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Rivers United’s players had already been promised a separate financial reward earlier in the season. Green announced a N2m bonus after the team defeated Plateau United 2-0 in their 2026/2027 EuroMatch/NPFL opening-season fixture.
The latest payment reflects the management’s continued recognition of performances they believe support the club’s objectives in both domestic and continental football.
Rivers United now face the task of completing the job at home against FC San Pedro and progressing from the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League. Their first-leg draw ensured the tie remains level going into Sunday’s decisive match in Uyo.
Green’s involvement at the club comes after his previous senior roles within Nigerian football administration. He served on the NFF Executive Committee and also held the position of Chairman of the federation’s Technical Committee before becoming administrator of Rivers United.
The club’s reward came after a match in which Rivers United recovered from conceding first and showed the resilience required to leave Ivory Coast with a result. Iyowune’s equaliser ensured the visitors were not beaten and kept the tie open ahead of the return meeting.
The second leg at Godswill Akpabio Stadium will determine which side advances, with Rivers United aiming to use home advantage after holding FC San Pedro in the first encounter.