Super Eagles B defender Imo Obot is at the center of a potential high-profile switch to Rivers United, following his departure from nine-time NPFL champions Enyimba.
While the move is not yet official, the signs are all there — statistics, ambitions, and a familiar face in Finidi George.
Obot’s five-year journey at Enyimba saw him rack up 85 appearances across all competitions. Known for his versatility, he featured as a left-back, left midfielder, and left winger, tallying six goals and four assists.
Most notably, he holds the record for the most free-kick goals by a defender in the NPFL over the past three seasons — a stat that’s earned him the nickname “NPFL’s Free-Kick King.”
After joining Enyimba from Dakkada FC in 2020, Obot hit the ground running, playing 21 league matches and contributing a goal and one assist in his debut season.
Obot featured for the Super Eagles B in the friendly against Mexico in the United States. Photo Credit: X
His breakthrough came in the 2019/2020 campaign in Uyo, his hometown, but his first NPFL goal arrived on matchday 6 of his maiden season with Enyimba — a well-placed finish from a Dayo Ojo cross against Adamawa United in Yola under Coach Fatai Osho.
Obot’s continental pedigree is just as rich. He featured in 2 matches in the inaugural African Football League, 3 CAF Champions League games, and 7 CAF Confederation Cup appearances.
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His consistency at this level made him a staple in Enyimba’s push for continental relevance, missing international competitions just once in the last five years — during the 2022/2023 season when Enyimba finished 7th with 52 points.
The decision to leave Enyimba appears rooted in ambition. The Aba giants had an underwhelming 2024/2025 NPFL season, finishing 5th and missing out on CAF competition. For a player like Obot, whose career has been closely linked to continental football, this marks a major turning point.
Imo Obot in action in Uyo. Photo Credit: X
Rivers United, who are set to compete in the CAF Champions League after finishing runners-up to Remo Stars, offer Obot a more promising outlook.
The Port Harcourt-based club is also one of the best-funded sides in the league, known for rewarding top talent with solid pay — “paper money,” as it’s popularly called in Nigerian football circles.
Another major pull factor is Finidi George. Under the former Ajax and Super Eagles star, Obot enjoyed his most productive NPFL season.
During the abridged 2022/23 campaign, he featured in 16 matches, scored twice, and provided one assist, showcasing his versatility across multiple positions as Enyimba went on to lift the league title.
In three appearances as a left winger, he netted a memorable free-kick against Plateau United and assisted Chijoke Mbaoma in a 2–1 win over Kwara United in Ilorin.
Imo Obot celebrates with his teammates after scoring for Enyimba against Plateau United. Photo Credit: X
Finidi’s trust in Obot’s tactical flexibility — using him as a left winger, left back, and left midfielder helped unlock the defender’s attacking potential. That same tactical trust could now be replicated at Rivers United, where both parties would be reunited if the deal is completed.
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Add in the vibrant lifestyle of Port Harcourt, and the move becomes even more enticing. While fans await official confirmation, all roads seem to point towards the Garden City — a new chapter for one of the NPFL’s most consistent performers.
Whether or not the transfer materializes, one thing is certain: Imo Obot has earned his place in the conversation as one of Nigeria’s finest modern-day full-backs, blending defensive solidity with dead-ball brilliance.
