Finidi George Missing From Rivers United Bench As Club Reveals What Happened

Rivers United have explained that head coach Finidi George was absent from the bench during Wednesday’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) encounter against Warri Wolves because he travelled to Abuja to participate in a CAF A-License Coaching Course.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the Port Harcourt-based club addressed questions surrounding the former Super Eagles winger’s absence through a post on its official social media platform, confirming that Finidi was in Abuja alongside other coaches for the elite continental coaching programme.

The club reassured supporters that there was no cause for concern, explaining that Finidi was taking part in the programme as part of efforts to further develop his coaching qualifications.

The CAF A-License programme returned to Nigeria earlier in 2026 after the country regained access to the CAF A Coaching Convention. This followed the approval by the Confederation of African Football of the coaching curriculum submitted by the Nigeria Football Federation.

Nigeria had not hosted a CAF A-License course for several years, with the last programme reportedly taking place around 2017. During the intervening period, the NFF continued to conduct lower-level D, C and B coaching licence programmes.

The latest CAF A-License course is designed to strengthen elite-level coaching development in the country. Initial plans reportedly provided for a six-module programme scheduled to run from August 2026 to February 2027, with 25 coaches expected to participate, although the programme now appears to have been adjusted to two modules.

Finidi’s participation in the course comes as he continues his coaching career with Rivers United. The former Nigeria international took charge of the club in 2025 following a distinguished playing career that included spells with Ajax and Real Betis.

His absence from the technical area did not prevent Rivers United from featuring in their NPFL fixture against Warri Wolves, with the club confirming that the coach’s trip to Abuja was solely connected to his participation in the CAF coaching programme.