Rivers United have been crowned champions of the Nigeria Professional Football League despite losing 2-1 to Nasarawa United with three matches to spare.
The Pride of Rivers were crowned the league champions on Sunday after closest rivals Plateau United lost 2-1 at Akwa United to give the Port Harcourt side an unassailable lead.
Rivers United amassed 71 points from 34 matches, 10 points clear of Plateau United, who have played 35 matches, while Remo Stars are a distant third on 53 points.
Winning the league earns United a place in next season’s CAF Champions League.
It is the first major honour for Rivers United since they were formed following a merger of Port Harcourt’s two top clubs – Dolphins and Sharks – in 2016
They are owned by oil-rich Rivers State Government, who have made them one of the best-run clubs in Nigeria.
Last season, Rivers United were runners-up to another club financed by an oil-rich government, Akwa United.
