Sports
RIVERS United have emerged as Nigeria’s highest-ranked club in the latest Confederation of African Football (CAF) club rankings.
The Port Harcourt-based club are ranked 24th in Africa with 15 points, moving ahead of former African champions Enyimba, who occupy the 45th position with four points.
The development marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s continental football hierarchy, with Rivers United replacing Enyimba as the country’s leading club in the CAF rankings.
The club’s improved ranking is largely attributed to consistent performances in continental competitions over the past four seasons.
Rivers United reached the quarter-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons.
The club subsequently progressed to the group stage of the CAF Champions League in the 2025/26 season, accumulating valuable coefficient points.
CAF’s club ranking system is based on performances in the Champions League and Confederation Cup over a five-year period, with points awarded according to a club’s progress in each competition.
Rivers United’s recent continental consistency has therefore strengthened their position despite competition from Nigeria’s more historically successful clubs.
The club’s continental progress has also been supported by improved domestic performances.
After winning the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title in the 2021/22 season, Rivers United have remained among the country’s leading teams.
They finished runners-up in the 2025/26 NPFL season with 67 points, one point behind champions Rangers International.
Under coach Finidi George, Rivers United recorded 19 victories from 38 league matches, scoring 44 goals and conceding 31.
The club’s defensive record was the second-best in the league, further underlining its consistency during the campaign.
The improved CAF ranking comes as Enyimba’s recent continental campaigns have produced fewer coefficient points.
Enyimba, who have won the CAF Champions League twice, have historically been Nigeria’s benchmark in continental club football.
However, Rivers United’s recent quarter-final and group-stage appearances have given the club an advantage in the latest five-year coefficient calculation.
Despite their rise, Rivers United remain some distance behind Africa’s leading clubs.
South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns lead the rankings with 73 points, followed by Egypt’s Al Ahly with 66 points.
Tunisia’s Esperance are third with 58 points, while Morocco’s RS Berkane occupy fourth place with 57 points.
The ranking underscores the progress made by Rivers United while highlighting the need for Nigerian clubs to achieve sustained success in continental competitions.
Tags: Emerge Nigeria’s highest eanked club in Africa Rivers United