Panic gripped the Nigeria Premier Football League on Thursday after Rivers United’s team bus was involved in a road accident in Port Harcourt while the squad was heading to a crucial Federation Cup tie.
The Port Harcourt-based club confirmed the crash occurred along the Obiri-Ikwerre Airport Road on the outskirts of the city, shortly after the team departed its camp. Rivers United were travelling to Awka, Anambra State for their President Federation Cup Round of 16 clash against Nasarawa United scheduled for Saturday.
Rivers United said “some players and officials sustained minor injuries” in the accident. Thankfully, the club stressed there were “no fatalities or life-threatening injuries”.
In an official statement the club said:
“We wish to inform our supporters, stakeholders and the general public that the team contingent was involved in a road traffic accident on Thursday while travelling to Awka… The safety, health and well-being of our players and officials remain our utmost priority. We can confirm that some players and officials sustained minor injuries in the accident. Thankfully, there have been no fatalities or life-threatening injuries. All affected individuals are receiving appropriate medical attention and are in stable condition”.
Club officials added that several members of the backroom staff were also affected, but all are receiving medical care and are stable.
The accident comes at a sensitive time for “The Pride of Rivers”. They sealed their Round of 16 spot with a 3-2 win over Rangers International on Monday. With the NPFL title already out of reach after finishing 2nd with 67 points, the President Federation Cup represents Rivers United’s last chance at silverware this campaign.
The club said updates on travel arrangements and the status of the Federation Cup fixture would be communicated in due course, and thanked fans for their concern and prayers.
Fans and fellow NPFL clubs flooded social media with prayers and goodwill messages after news broke. The NFF and football community have also been sending support, as safety of players remains a top concern.
For now, the focus is on recovery. Rivers United assured supporters that the health of everyone on board is their priority, and that further updates will follow as the team regroups ahead of the Awka fixture.
