The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has officially rescheduled five outstanding fixtures involving Rivers United FC following the club’s recent exit from the CAF Champions League. The adjustments aim to help Rivers United complete their league programme after continental commitments.
The revised dates give the Port Harcourt-based side a clear schedule to finish their domestic league matches, which were postponed earlier in the campaign.
The NPFL’s latest calendar update includes five matches rearranged for February and March, creating a pathway for Rivers United to catch up with their rivals. The fixtures now stand as follows Kwara United vs Rivers United on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, Rivers United vs Barau on 25 February Rivers United vs El-Kanemi Warriors on 4 March Shooting Stars vs Rivers United on 12 March and Niger Tornadoes vs Rivers United on 19 March.
Each of the rescheduled games was postponed earlier in the season to accommodate Rivers United’s involvement in CAF competitions, where they competed in the Champions League group stages. Their elimination has freed up the calendar for these NPFL dates to be confirmed.
Rivers United remain among the frontrunners in the 2025/26 NPFL title race, with the opportunity to capitalise on these rearranged fixtures as they aim to maintain momentum in the league standings. Completing these games will also ensure a level playing field with other clubs that have already played a full complement of matches.
For opponents like Kwara United, Barau and El-Kanemi Warriors, the new dates provide clarity on their own league schedules and offer important opportunities to earn crucial points in the battle against relegation or for higher league placement.
Editorial
The decision to formalise Rivers United’s catch-up fixtures reflects the growing professionalism of the NPFL in accommodating clubs involved in continental competitions. Teams that qualify for CAF inter-club tournaments often face fixture congestion, and proactive scheduling like this helps preserve competitive balance while acknowledging the extra burden placed on those sides.
Successfully integrating outstanding matches back into the calendar is essential for fair competition in the title race and relegation battles. From Rivers United’s perspective, this development is timely. With the pressure off continental football following their exit, the Pride of Rivers can now channel full attention to the NPFL.
Completing their full slate of fixtures will allow the club to truly assess its position in the title race without the hangover of unanswered matches. For supporters, the clearer picture offers renewed excitement and focus on the domestic push as the season enters its decisive stages.
Did You Know?
- The NPFL rescheduled five Rivers United fixtures after the club’s elimination from the CAF Champions League.
- Rescheduled matches include games against Kwara United, Barau, El-Kanemi Warriors, Shooting Stars and Niger Tornadoes.
- Rivers United competed in the 2025/26 CAF Champions League but exited at the group stage following defeat to Pyramids FC.
- Completing outstanding matches helps ensure Rivers United are on par with rivals in the NPFL standings.
- The NPFL season runs from August 2025 to May 2026 with 20 clubs vying for the title and survival.
