Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt started getting ready for the upcoming season on Monday at the main bowl stadium of Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.
With roughly 25 players present, the Garden City boys have begun training under the direction of the team’s technical manager, Finidi George, according to a post on BSNSports.com.ng.
As you may recall, Rivers United placed second in the previous NPFL season, earning them a spot in the prestigious CAF Champions League this year while the Abia Warriors made it to their first CAF Confederation Cup.
The Umuahia-based side secured their spot CAF second tier club competition after placing third in the 2024–25 Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) season—their highest league ranking ever—and earning their first chance to play at the continental level.
Both players and officials of the two teams have started the initial round of training this week to ensure they are ready for the competition when it begins later this year.
The players were cordially welcomed back by the technical staff and support staff of both teams (Rivers United and Abia Warriors), who urged them to mentally get ready for the chalenges that lay ahead.
In spite of the fact that the two aforementioned had begun practicing vigorously in anticipation of the forthcoming season, Kano Pillars Football is still in slumber.
A few days earlier, Usman Abdallah, the club’s technical adviser, announced his resignation, claiming personal reasons. His replacement as the next “Sai Masu Gida” Technical Advisor has not yet been declared by the club.
The club claims that the coach told management that he had been presented with a big chance that he said was incompatible with his existing duties. Additionally, after talks, both sides decided that his resignation was best for the club.
It could be recalled that, coach Abdallah was named the new TA just before the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season began in 2024–2025.
With 53 points from 38 games—a six-point increase over the previous campaign—he led Kano Pillars to a ninth-place finish.
In a news interview, Abdallah said, “Even though I am stepping down, I will continue to support Kano Pillars and offer guidance whenever necessary.”
Abdallah then praised the club’s supporters for their support and thanked the management for the chance to serve.
One of the main reasons I took the part was the fans. Their enthusiasm and assistance were unparalleled. I truly am grateful for them,” he continued.
Ali Muhammad Umar, also known as Mai Samba, the club chairman, gave Abdallah the admiration of the management for his commitment and professionalism.
The chairman expressed gratitude to Coach Usman Abdallah for his contributions and wished him luck in his future undertakings.
This site’s study indicates that the management of the Kano Pillars is in contact with several coaches in order to replace Abdallah.
However, it is unclear what is preventing or postponing their return to training despite the fact that it is time for that, as other serious teams have since resumed their rigorous preparations for the upcoming campaign.
We also don’t know how many players the club cut, how many were brought in, or how much was spent on them merely to bolster the squad.
But keep a date..
