Rivers United picked up their first point of the 2025 CAF Champions League after battling to a goalless draw against Zambian side Power Dynamos on Saturday.
The match was played at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on January 24, and the result ended a difficult start to the continental campaign for Finidi George’s side, who had lost their opening two fixtures to Pyramids and RS Berkane. With pressure mounting, a positive result in Zambia became essential, and Rivers United delivered with a disciplined defensive performance.
Goalkeeper Osagie Onisodumeya returned to the starting lineup after his error in the previous continental game, while Boluwaji Sholumade partnered Seyi Oguntayo in midfield. Maclyn Biokpo was handed the responsibility of leading the attack.
Rivers United were under heavy pressure in the first half and created little going forward. Onisodumeya and the defensive unit, led by Stephen Manyo, kept the Nigerians in the contest. The goalkeeper made three important saves as Rivers United reached halftime without registering a single shot on target.
After the break, Power Dynamos continued to press for an opening goal, but Rivers United remained organised and resilient. Onisodumeya produced several more key stops to frustrate the hosts and preserve the clean sheet.
The visitors finally tested Dynamos goalkeeper Willard Mwanza in the 68th minute when he pushed away a shot from Friday Ubong, Rivers United’s first effort on target of the match. Despite sustained pressure from the Zambians, neither side was able to find a breakthrough, and the contest ended in a goalless draw. The result also meant Power Dynamos are still searching for their first goal of the group stage.
Power Dynamos dominated the statistics with 22 shots, six of them on target, while Rivers United managed six attempts with only one on target.
Rivers United will now return to Nigeria to prepare for the reverse fixture, which will be played next weekend as a matchday four clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Before the game, Power Dynamos had been in good form, winning 52 percent of their matches this season and recording a 67 percent win rate in their last six home games. Rivers United, by contrast, had struggled in the competition, losing half of their last six CAF Champions League matches and drawing three of their most recent six away games across all competitions.
