Rivers United head coach Finidi George has expressed disappointment at the outcome of his side’s CAF Champions League opener against Pyramids on Saturday, SportPremi reports.
The Pride of Rivers suffered a 3-0 defeat to the defending champions in their 2025-26 group stage opener at the Pyramids Arena.
Egyptian striker Ahmed Atef El Sayed inspired the home side to victory with an incredible second half hat-trick.
The Nigerian side must now bounce back as they search for their first win in their second group game against Moroccan side RS Berkane, who also defeated Power Dynamos by the same scoreline, next weekend.
Rivers United open continental campaign with defeat
Rivers United had become the first Nigerian side to reach the CAF Champions League group stage in seven years after defeating Mozambique side Black Bulls in the qualifying round.
They were placed in group A alongside Pyramids, RS Berkane and Power Dynamos and faced a tough task of progressing to the next round.
The home side asserted dominance in the clash with several goalscoring opportunities in the early stages of game, but the visitors stood strong in a resilient first half display.
However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 52nd minute as El Sayed got on the end of a blocked effort and fired into the net.
The forward got his second of the game just five minutes later after he headed in a brilliant delivery from Karim Hafez.
El Sayed completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute after receiving a pass from Mohamed Reda inside the box, before firing into the bottom corner.
Pyramids closed out the win as they began their title defense with a comfortable 3-0 win over the Nigerian outfit.
Finidi George disappointed with result
In his prematch interview, former Super Eagles head coach Finidi George was disappointed with the result of the clash, as his side began their campaign with a crushing defeat.
“We did well in the first half. But in the second half, their first goal came from a big mistake from our players. Against a team like this, once they score, their momentum grows”, Finidi George revealed.
“At that point we knew the game was slipping away. A good first half, but the second half was not good at all. That was the difference.
“We know we are playing in the champions league and we have to show it. It’s painful because the goals came from our own mistakes — defensively, we should have done better.
But this one is gone. Now we must prepare the players mentally for the next match. It’s not a physical issue — it’s mental. We have to win at home”, he continued.
Rivers United will host RS Berkane at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in their second group game next weekend, while Pyramids and Power Dynamos clash in the other group encounter.
