An impressed Governor Wike has vowed to gift the players more if they make it to the group stages of the CAF Champions League.
Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions, Rivers United, has been gifted the cash sum of $20,000 each (over 12 million Naira) for emerging champions of the Nigerian league for the first time in the club’s history.
Governor NyesomWike rewarded the players in a ceremony held at the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt. The Governor who was physically present at the event promised players of the state-owned club $40,000 each if they advance into the group stage of the CAF Champions League.
He also promised the club a two-week pre-season training in Madrid, Spain, ahead of the 2022/2023 Nigerian league campaign.
Rivers United claimed the league title with four games to spare after establishing a ten-point lead over second-placed side, Plateau United. The Stanley Eguma led-side had a brilliant campaign which also saw their star man, RafiuIshaq, feature for the Super Eagles in an international friendlies tour in the United States.
It is left to be seen if the kind gestures from the governor will motivate the team to retain the title as most Nigerian clubs in recent times have failed to win the league title back-to-back. Rivers United was founded in 2016 after a merger between former Dolphins FC and Sharks FC of Port Harcourt. Winning the league in its sixth year is a laudable achievement.
Sources:
Vanguard NG
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