RIVERS United coach, Finidi George, has said the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title race will go down to the wire, insisting that his side must secure victory in their final away fixture against Wikki Tourists to keep their championship hopes alive.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Rivers United, who led the league table for most of the season with a cushion of about seven points, now trail Enugu Rangers by one point with only two matches remaining in the campaign.
Rangers climbed to the top of the table after recording a comfortable 2–0 victory over Bayelsa United in Yenagoa, despite Rivers United’s emphatic 3–0 win over Abia Warriors.
The Flying Antelopes will look to strengthen their grip on the title when they host Bendel Insurance this weekend, while Rivers United will aim to remain firmly in contention with a crucial away victory over Wikki Tourists.
Speaking after Sunday’s match, Finidi stressed the importance of proper recovery and preparation ahead of the decisive encounter.
“There are two games to go and we all started the league together. We can’t pity anyone, but we have to see how we recover properly ahead of our next fixture against Wikki Tourists,” Finidi said.
“Our away form in the first round was good, and we have to bring our A game again against Wikki Tourists. We will prepare properly because a lot is at stake.”
The former Super Eagles winger expressed confidence that the title race could ultimately be decided on the final day of the season.
If Rivers United avoid defeat in the penultimate fixture, the battle for the NPFL crown will head into the last round of matches, with Rangers travelling to Lagos to face Ikorodu City, while Rivers United host Katsina United.
“That decider will, I think, be on the last day. Ikorodu will be playing Rangers and we will be playing Katsina. Everything is possible till the last day,” Finidi added.
Finidi, who took charge of Rivers United in pursuit of his first league title with the Port Harcourt club, previously guided Enyimba to their ninth NPFL title in 2023, ending Rivers United’s reign after the club secured its maiden title in 2022.
