Rivers United have called on football fans in Akwa Ibom State to come out in large numbers and support the team when they face San Pedro of Côte d’Ivoire in the second leg of their CAF Champions League first-round tie on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
The match will take place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, with kick-off scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
The appeal was made during a courtesy visit by Rivers United officials, led by the club’s Sole Administrator, Barrister Christopher Green, and General Manager, Okey Kpaloku, to the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, in Uyo.
The Rivers United delegation told the Commissioner that the club will continue to use the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium as its home for continental matches.
The club secured a valuable 1-1 draw against San Pedro in the first leg in Côte d’Ivoire and will now look to complete the job in front of home fans.
To encourage supporters to attend the match, Rivers United announced that 50 replica jerseys will be given to the first 50 fans who arrive at the stadium on Sunday.
Green said Rivers United are determined to go far in the competition and help maintain Nigeria’s strong presence in African club football.
“We are back in Uyo for our continental matches and we deemed it fit to come and inform you that we are in town because Uyo is our second home,” Green said.
He added: “Rivers United is representing Nigeria on the continent and we want to go as far as we can to ensure a Nigerian team makes it to the latter stages of this competition.
“We know that Akwa Ibom people love sports, especially football, and we sincerely appeal to all football lovers, fans and stakeholders to come out en masse and support Rivers United to victory on Sunday.”
Green also thanked the Akwa Ibom State Government for maintaining the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium to international standards.
Bassey Promises Support
Responding, Commissioner Paul Bassey congratulated Rivers United on their 1-1 draw in Côte d’Ivoire and urged the team to remain focused.
He said the result from the first leg should give the players confidence as they aim to secure qualification for the next round.
Bassey also assured the club that football fans in Akwa Ibom would respond to the call and turn out in large numbers to support the Nigerian representatives.
He urged the players and technical crew to remain disciplined, work harder and make good use of the home advantage.
The CAF Champions League encounter between Rivers United and San Pedro will kick off at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
