After the stern test of Enyimba’s credentials against Ikorodu City, we left the Mobolaji Johnson Arena unbowed, rounding off our September fixtures still unbeaten. The games are coming thick and fast now, leaving little room to savour every point gained or brood over those that slipped away. Focus shifts quickly, and the next chapter in this evolving story takes us back home, where an old rivalry is set to light up Aba once again.
The Enyimba vs Rivers United fixture is one steeped in history and deep-rooted rivalry. Its origins stretch back to the days of Sharks FC and Dolphins FC, the two clubs that merged in 2015 to form Rivers United. Before that merger, encounters between Enyimba and either Sharks or Dolphins were rarely just football matches. They were battles of pride. The first league meeting of the season often set the tone for revenge in the return leg, and clashes in neutral venues during cup competitions were even more intense. Little wonder that some of our most satisfying cup final victories came against Sharks in 2009 and Dolphins in 2014.
Rivers United began their journey as a merged club in the 2015 season, opening their campaign against the then defending champions, Enyimba. It marked the beginning of a new chapter in an already heated rivalry. The fire briefly dimmed in the years that followed, until the abrupt end of the 2020 season due to the pandemic reignited tensions. Rivers, who sat second on the table and were poised to claim a CAF Champions League spot, were bumped into the Confederation Cup after Enyimba edged them on points-per-game averages. The fallout was immediate. Two key Enyimba players switched sides ahead of the following season, and the rivalry reached boiling point when both clubs were drawn against each other in the Confederation Cup playoff — a tie that came after Enyimba’s exit from the Champions League.
Since the 2015 season, Enyimba and Rivers United have faced each other 21 times across all competitions: 16 in the league, once in the Super Six Championship playoff, twice in the Confederation Cup, and twice in the Federation Cup. The People’s Elephant have enjoyed the upper hand in knockout football. We defeated Rivers twice in the Federation Cup 1-0 in the 2016 quarterfinal in Ibadan and on penalties in the 2023 Round of 64 in Uyo. We also prevailed on penalties in the 2021 Confederation Cup playoff after a 1-1 aggregate draw, and we secured a vital point in the decisive Super Six playoff game to clinch the league title in 2023.
In the league, however, Rivers United have been the more dominant side. Of the 16 meetings, they have won 8, drawn 3, and lost 5. They have also had slightly better results on our turf than we have on theirs. In Aba, they have managed one win and two draws in eight visits, including a famous double over us during their title-winning 2021-22 season. Our most emphatic response came in the 2023-24 campaign, when we stormed back from behind to thrash them 4-1 at home, with Chijioke Mbaoma and Elijah Akanni scoring two goals each.
What makes this weekend’s meeting even more fascinating is that the most compelling battle may not even be on the pitch — but on the touchline. Stanley Eguma, our current coach, began his managerial journey at Dolphins before coaching Sharks and returning to Dolphins, eventually leading Rivers United to the league title in 2022. On the opposite bench is Finidi George, who launched his coaching career in Aba, guided Enyimba for three seasons, and delivered the 2023 title before departing for national duties. Adding even more intrigue, Finidi’s former assistant and successor, Yema, is now part of his backroom staff at Rivers.
Aba promises to be the place to be on Sunday. This is more than just a league fixture; it is a continuation of a story that has spanned decades, a battle of pride, history, and identity. It is the kind of match where heroes are born and legacies are written. And with both teams still unbeaten this season, the stage is set for a defining chapter in this rivalry. All eyes will be on Aba. The question is simple — who will blink first?
