Rivers United are planning to recruit at least 10 foreign players from across Africa as the club prepares to make a serious challenge in the upcoming CAF Champions League campaign, according to the club's chairman, Barrister Chris Green.

The Port Harcourt-based club secured a place in the 2026/27 CAF Champions League after finishing second in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) — falling just short of champions Enugu Rangers on the final day of the season.

Green's diagnosis of Nigerian football

Green identified the steady drain of talented players from Nigerian clubs to leagues in Europe and Asia as a key obstacle to success in continental competitions. He argued that the trend has weakened both club sides and the national teams, and that urgent action is required.

"The only way we can make our presence felt on the continent is to comb for quality players from the continent, since we cannot stop our players from going to Europe and Asian countries for greener pastures," Green told Completesports.com.

"To be frank with you, our league lacks the quality to dominate Africa again. With the alarming rate our players are leaving for better deals abroad, we are not going to make an impact in the inter-club competitions unless we devise a way to check the exodus and retain our best players."

A minimum of 10 foreign signings targeted

Green was unambiguous about the scale of recruitment Rivers United intend to pursue. He said the club would need a minimum of 10 African players from outside Nigeria to build a squad capable of competing for the CAF Champions League title.

"For Rivers United to challenge for the CAF Champions League title, we need to recruit at a minimum 10 foreign nationals from Africa to boost what we presently have. We are hoping to go all the way, and to do that we must look for players outside the country," said Green, who also chairs the Rivers State Football Association.

Government backing the key

Green, whose club is owned by the Rivers State Government, confirmed he would formally request state backing to fund the foreign recruitment drive.

"I will make a strong recommendation to the Rivers State Government to empower us to scout and contract players outside the country to make the club more formidable. If we get the approval of government, Rivers United will be a force both at the domestic and international level," he said.

The chairman also promised significant internal changes, with underperforming players set to make way for younger talent. He added that the club's feeder teams would be given meaningful opportunities to contribute, but insisted the days of merely participating in continental football were over.

"Rivers United will undergo massive reorganisation for next season. The era of just being in the continent for the sake of it is in the past. We have to challenge," Green declared.