July 24, (THEWILL) -On Thursday last week, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, gave each player in the state-owned football team, Rivers United, the sum of $20,000, or more than N12 million, as reward for winning the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).
The rationale behind this ostentatious display of generosity from the governor can be traced to the fact that it is the first league title for the club which, in its current form, did not exist a decade ago. Yet, this young club etched its name in the history books with the consistency of their displays, the dominating fervour that animated their performances, the dedication of their players and backroom staff, the unflinching and unalloyed support of the state government and the determined banking of a uncompromising financial backing of a dedicated sponsor.
What all these ingredients resulted in was a tasty and savoury aroma of victory that set a new record for points secured, 77 points, which were 10 more than second-placed Plateau United managed, produced the League’s golden boot winner in Chijoke Akuneto who scored 19 goals, and the fact that they had confirmed that the title was going to the Rivers State government House with no fewer three games left in the season.
The combination of all these, coupled with the fact that the team had also qualified to represent the country at the most prestigious football competition on the continent, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League once more, after missing out the previous year, were exciting for Wike, who had never hidden his love for the round leather game.
To demonstrate the state government’s deep appreciation to the players and staff of the team for the honour it has brought the state, and will continue to do, a reward celebration was organised and it held in the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt. In attendance was the governor himself, whose enthusiasm to mingle among the team and pose with them for pictures was palpably evident. However, Wike’s incentives for the victorious team did not stop with the cash windfall. He wasted no time in revealing that arrangements had been made for the squad to spend two weeks of preseason practice in Madrid, Spain to help them be in the best shape of form for the resumption of hostilities when the 2022/2023 football season commences, especially on the continent.
As aforesaid, by virtue of finishing first in the NPFL, Rivers United automatically qualified as Nigeria’s representative for next season’s Champions League, with League runners-up Plateau United, picking the second ticket.
Having attained domestic dominance, the attention of the Rivers State government, squad and staff of Rivers United and of their sponsors have turned rightly to seeking continental triumph. The two-week Madrid preseason tour is part and parcel of this focus and to keep their momentum going, Wike made sure to provide even more incentive.
The governor guaranteed the Rivers United players and management an additional $40,000 if they can push all the harder to advance beyond to the group stage of next season’s CAF Champions League competition. Wike wants Rivers United to outperform the displays of last season’s NPFL teams to the CAF Champions League, Akwa United and Enyimba, neither of whom were able to make it beyond to the group stages. And, he is ready to put enough resources on the line to see it come to pass.
What the Rivers United team has achieved with its historic feat in the comparatively short time of its existence is a textbook case of how government-directed investment, good team management and sponsor-backed football can make a difference in the results and performances that a football team records in competitive engagements.
The story of the origins of Rivers United, their record-setting run to their maiden NPFL title and the huge ambitions that they have set for themselves provide reference material for other football clubs and teams, in particular, and for overall sports management, in general.
This story begins in July 2015 with the relegation of the now defunct Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt and the uncharacteristic fidelity of club sponsor, West Africa’s largest independent chemical as well as oil and gas engineering solutions provider, Eunisell, which remained as sponsor nevertheless, extending their sponsorship rather than abandoning ship.
In February the following year, Wike was granted permission to merge two State-owned clubs, Sharks and Dolphins, the result of which became a brand new club christened Rivers United. Eunisell continued as the team’s sponsor and he became a part of their persevering climb to success, therefore demonstrating a readiness to spearhead a drive for Nigerian businesses to shift the NPFL narrative towards results. As shirt sponsors since 2016, Eunisell is now the NPFL sponsor with the longest tenure, sticking to the side despite initial teething problems and near misses. They identified with the club’s objectives, gradual rise and progress believing that Rivers United was the best partner for a long-term sponsorship and that success will ultimately follow.
In their debut season, Enugu Rangers won the championship even though Rivers United put up an admirable challenge and came close to contending for the title. It was an encouraging feat but there was a lot of work to be done. To appreciate their efforts in 2016 and incentivise them further, a N10 million reward was announced by Eunisell in recognition of the club’s successful inaugural season in 2016. This was the first of its kind in the NPFL by any club sponsor.
Chika Ikenga, Eunisell’s Group Managing Director, also led a powerful company team to Sagamu to inspire the players during the 2017 season, when the team was having a rough patch, as part of their demonstration their dedication to the team. When the curtain fell on the season, Rivers United finished in 15th position, barely escaping relegation by just two points. Despite this, the brand remained confident that the club would win the Nigerian championship in the future. The company also established the ‘Eunisell Rivers United Day’ to bring the team closer to the people and football fans and acknowledge their support.
This long-standing loyalty and support from the sponsors and fans, counted for Rivers United in the season just ended. They benefited from a dedicated preseason and the injection of fresh and experienced talents from rival sides to get a strong start to the season and displayed their title-winning credentials when they won the mid-season championship.
The Stanley Eguma-led side were able to sell their aspirations to key players brought in to fortify their challenge and it went far to bring the title to Port Harcourt. Super Eagles midfielder Chiamaka Madu, who had previously won the League title with Enugu Rangers in 2016, was a crucial part of Rivers United march to victory after joining them before the start of the season, just as the NPFL highest goal-scorer Akuneto. He joined the team, and in his debut season with the Pride of Rivers, the former Heartland and MFM winger was sensational in front of goal as he was in providing assists for teammates to take them to the record-setting points tally ever in the NPFL. At one point near the business end of the season, the team had established a 12-match unbeaten streak and even a 10-point lead over its closest competitor, Plateau United, as evidence of its superiority.
What the Rivers United story has demonstrated is that the tried and tested organisation for success requires dedicated commitment by government to success, the loyalty of supportive sponsors and a determined team with a resilient streak that is laser-focused on desired objectives will get results against all odds. It is a template that can be applied to the country’s national teams, it is a blueprint that can be adopted for the running of sports in the country to incentivise sportsmen and women to aim for the stars and reach their goals, without the traditional bickering over payment of bonuses and allowances due them. With this dedication from government, public partnership and sponsorship and the zeal to deliver, just like Rivers United, there can be a revitalisation of the country’s sporting fortunes across board.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
