Promising 19 year old centre-back Josiah Okanu, scouted by Rivers United coach Finidi George from Emre Jackson FC of Port Harcourt, has left the club to explore fresh opportunities as Rivers gear up for the CAF Champions League.
Despite being officially registered for the 2024/25 season, Okanu did not make an appearance for Rivers United. The club’s decision to bring in a more experienced defender for their continental ambitions left the youngster seeking regular game time elsewhere.
Okanu, admired for his calmness on the ball and sharp positional sense, shared his thoughts on the move and what lies ahead “I am grateful for the chance Rivers United gave me this season. While I didn’t get to play, I understand the club’s aim is to go far in the CAF Champions League. Now, I’m focused on finding a club where I can develop and show what I can do. I believe in my abilities I’m calm in defence, comfortable with the ball, and ready to fight for a starting spot wherever I land.”
He added “This isn’t a setback it’s a new beginning. Coaches looking to reinforce their back line with youth and talent should know: I’m available, adaptable, and determined to prove myself.”
Having honed his craft in a strong developmental environment, Okanu is the modern defender every team needs—composed under pressure and capable of building play from the back.
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Clubs in the NPFL seeking defensive reinforcement should keep tabs on his availability. While Rivers United prepare to host Africa’s best, this exit could be the stepping stone for Okanu to shine, whether at home or abroad.
Watch this name Josiah Okanu a ball-playing defender ready for his big break.
Editorial
We see stories like Josiah Okanu’s and cannot help but reflect on the harsh realities of football development. A young player breaks through the ranks, earns a move to a top club, yet never steps onto the pitch. His case underlines a persistent issue in Nigerian football: the delicate balance between grooming young talents and chasing continental glory.
Our clubs often favour experience over promise when the stakes are high, and understandably so. Success in the CAF Champions League can elevate a club’s profile and finances. But where does this leave players like Okanu? Sitting on the bench for a season can derail confidence and stunt growth. Development demands minutes, not promises.
We believe there’s a solution. Nigerian teams must adopt a blended approach investing in youth while pursuing trophies. If European giants can nurture teenagers on big stages, why can’t we? This is not just about one player it’s about an entire generation whose potential risks being wasted on the sidelines.
Okanu’s resilience is commendable. He calls this moment a new beginning, and that attitude should inspire many. His willingness to fight for a place elsewhere shows the hunger every coach desires. Nigerian football should embrace such players, not sideline them.
The future of our game depends on decisions made today. Let us back our young defenders, midfielders, and forwards. Let us give them chances, not excuses. If we fail to act, we risk losing our brightest prospects to obscurity. Talent like Okanu’s deserves more than potential it deserves the pitch.
Did You Know?
- Rivers United were crowned NPFL champions in the 2021/22 season with a record 77 points.
- The CAF Champions League allows clubs to register up to 40 players for the competition.
- Finidi George, who signed Okanu, was part of Nigeria’s 1994 AFCON-winning squad and played in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with Ajax.
- Only four Nigerian clubs have ever won the CAF Champions League Enyimba (twice), Shooting Stars, Rangers International, and Bendel Insurance.
- Ball-playing centre-backs are increasingly valued in modern football as they help teams transition from defence to attack, a style popularised by managers like Pep Guardiola.
