2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 37: Safe Rivers United chases Kwara United FC to Ilorin

Posted : 11 May 2025

As easy as the match may seem, 13th-placed Kwara United FC must avoid defeat in their last home game against the already secure Rivers United FC in the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 37, if they don't want to find themselves in a relegation fight.

The Afonja Warriors may seem to be sitting just above the red zone, but they are not safe yet. Their home game against Rivers United is tricky.

Rivers United, chasing the CAF Champions League spot, may not want to relent, as they are closely pursued by Abia Warriors, who are just four points behind.

The Pride of Rivers have 61 points as they chase continental qualification, while Abia Warriors are on 57 points and will come with intensity.

The final day clash against Katsina United, who are also not yet safe, could turn into a direct shootout for survival.

The Afonja Warriors must beat Rivers at home, as a win will guarantee safety and ease the pressure before the Katsina showdown.

Rivers United coach Finidi George has already set his sights on securing the CAF Champions League ticket after clinching a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rangers International on Wednesday.

The former Super Eagles winger, now leading a largely rebuilt Rivers United squad, emphasized that the win underscored his side’s growth—but also served as a reminder of what separated them from this season’s eventual champions, Remo Stars.

Despite sitting second with 61 points and two games to play, Finidi openly acknowledged that the league title had slipped beyond their grasp, crediting Remo Stars for maintaining the kind of consistency his own side lacked at crucial junctures.

“We fought to see how we could win the league, but I think the consistency of Remo, you know, did it for them,” he said.

“There were moments in the league where we weren’t consistent. That’s where it slipped away.”

“It’s been a fantastic season, you know. The players are all new, apart from two—the goalkeeper and the captain. We have to commend the boys for playing this way all through the season,” he added.

Head-to-head:
Rivers United holds the bragging rights with two wins, while Kwara United has one win, and two matches ended in a draw in their last five encounters.

15 Dec 24: Rivers Utd 2 - 1 Kwara United

9 May 24: Kwara United 0 - 0 Rivers Utd

15 Oct 23: Rivers Utd 0 - 0 Kwara United

1 May 22: Kwara United 2 - 1 Rivers Utd

16 Jan 22: Rivers Utd 3 - 0 Kwara United

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 37: Safe Rivers United chases Kwara United FC to Ilorin

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