Rivers United's Technical Manager, Finidi George, has shared his thoughts on his team's narrow 1-0 defeat to Enyimba FC in Saturday's Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clash. Despite the loss, he expressed optimism about his team's overall performance and their prospects in the remaining fixtures.
Speaking after the match in Aba, Finidi acknowledged that while the defeat was disappointing, he was proud of the effort his players put into the game. He pointed out a key moment in the match where Rivers United had a clear chance to score before Enyimba took the lead. "Before they scored from the free kick, we had a one-on-one situation that we failed to capitalize on. That moment could have changed the game," he noted.
The former Enyimba coach also questioned the decision that led to the game's only goal. He believed that the free kick awarded to Enyimba, which was expertly converted by Chigozie Obot, was debatable. "I felt that the free kick should have been given to us first, but the referee saw it differently. We must give credit to Obot for a well-taken free kick," Finidi stated.
Despite the setback, Finidi took positives from his team’s performance, emphasizing that they fought hard, especially in the second half. "We made some changes to try to influence the game, and I think we played really well. Unfortunately, we didn't get a point, but I must commend the players for their effort," he added.
The loss means Rivers United missed the chance to pick up valuable points in their push up the NPFL table. However, Finidi remains confident that his side can bounce back in their upcoming matches. He believes that the level of performance displayed in Aba is a sign of progress.
Returning to Aba as an opposing coach was a special moment for Finidi, who spent three years with Enyimba before joining Rivers United. He spoke about the warm reception he received from the fans. "You can see the love and appreciation from the fans. It was great to be back, and I really appreciate their support," he said.
Looking ahead to their next fixture in Uyo on Wednesday, Finidi expressed optimism about Rivers United's chances. He believes that if his team plays at the same level as they did against Enyimba, they stand a strong chance of securing a positive result.
"I think that if we play this way, we are going to win. We need to replicate this performance, and I am quite positive that we can either win or come back with something," Finidi stated confidently.
Rivers United will now shift their focus to their upcoming match, knowing that every point is crucial in their bid to remain competitive in the NPFL. The technical team and players will be looking to build on their recent performance and improve their finishing in front of goal.
With Finidi George at the helm, Rivers United will hope to turn their fighting spirit into valuable points as the NPFL season progresses. The team’s resilience in Aba will serve as motivation as they prepare for their next challenge.
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