Rivers United head coach Finidi George has credited his team for their deserved 3-1 victory against Heartland in Matchday 2 of the NPFL.
Speaking after the match, he praised his side’s efforts, calling it a “well-earned win” in what was a crucial fixture.
The game, which took place at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, pitted two Nigerian football legends Finidi George and Emmanuel Amuneke against each other for the first time as coaches.
Both men, former teammates in Nigeria’s victorious 1994 Africa Cup of Nations squad, are regarded as two of the finest wingers in the nation’s football history. They also scored in Nigeria’s debut FIFA World Cup campaign in 1994.
Their coaching careers have since seen them cross paths. Finidi was briefly appointed Super Eagles head coach earlier this year but resigned after a month, citing poor results and a lack of support from the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF. Amuneke, initially named as Finidi’s assistant, declined the role, which set the stage for this much-anticipated managerial faceoff.
How the Game Unfolded
Rivers United wasted no time asserting their dominance. Just three minutes into the match, Taofeek Otaniyi headed in a cross from Okon Aniekeme, taking advantage of Heartland’s defensive lapse to put the home side ahead.
Heartland, however, responded just before halftime when Christian Molokwu found the back of the net, leveling the scoreline and setting up an intense second half.
In the 68th minute, Rivers United regained their lead when Kabiru Abdullahi’s strike restored their advantage.
Abdullahi wasn’t done yet, as he delivered a stunning free-kick deep into stoppage time, sealing the win and providing Rivers with their first victory of the season.
Finidi Reflects on the Victory
“It was a good game,” Finidi said after the match. “We started with a high tempo and after that goal the tempo dropped and they ( Heartland) started playing, unfortunately, they got that goal and we were furious about it and we have to ginger the boys, especially in the second half.”
He added: “The second half was for us; they couldn’t do much apart from one or two breaks they had; we controlled the game, and overall, we deserved to win.
“The team is practically new, but we’ve been working on their tactical and technical aspects, and they are responding well.”
Heartland’s Struggles Continue
For Emmanuel Amuneke, it was another difficult outing. Heartland’s poor start to the season continued with their second consecutive 3-1 defeat, having lost to Enyimba in the Oriental Derby last weekend in Owerri.
Originally relegated last season, Heartland were reinstated into the NPFL through administrative decisions, but their performances on the pitch so far have been less than convincing.
Amuneke, a former African Footballer of the Year, will need to rally his squad if they hope to turn things around in the coming matches.
