NPFL 25: Rivers United Remain Focused Despite Draw Against El-Kanemi Warriors - Finidi George



Rivers United's Technical Manager, Finidi George, has affirmed his team's unwavering focus following a challenging 1-1 draw against El-Kanemi Warriors on match day nine of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season. Despite being up against a 10-man El-Kanemi side, the Pride of Rivers couldn’t capitalize on their numerical advantage, resulting in a frustrating evening. The outcome has sparked reflections on missed opportunities, but George insists that his team remains resolute and prepared to move forward.

Reflecting on the match, George acknowledged that it was a difficult game for his team, despite the edge they held in numbers. "It was not a bad game overall, but El-Kanemi came with a clear strategy, played on the counter, and scored. From that moment, we had to intensify our efforts to equalize," George explained. He attributed the outcome to El-Kanemi's resilience and ability to disrupt Rivers United's flow, emphasizing that despite pressing hard, the team struggled to find their rhythm.

In the second half, Rivers United pushed even harder, controlling the ball and attacking with purpose. George pointed out that El-Kanemi defended deeply, focusing on counterattacks that forced Rivers United to be on their toes. "I felt we should have been a bit more patient in the second half," he said. "Playing with an extra man, we could have held onto the ball longer and combined better in the final third." The manager observed that the players showed signs of nervousness, which ultimately hindered their ability to find a winning goal.

Despite the missed chances, George remains optimistic about Rivers United’s progress in the league. He noted that sometimes, the pressure to score can make players anxious, which affects their finishing. "We had a couple of good opportunities that I felt could have been the goal, but it was just one of those days when things don’t go as planned," he remarked. George’s analysis suggests a need for the team to maintain composure and leverage their strengths consistently throughout their matches.

Looking ahead, George affirmed that Rivers United is fully focused on their next encounter with Ikorodu City. He dismissed any notion of distraction, underscoring the importance of staying committed to their league ambitions. "We are not distracted. We will keep the focus and see how we can perform away. Our main objective is to prepare the players mentally and physically for the next match," he concluded. With their sights set on the future, Rivers United aims to strengthen their position in the NPFL table, building on the lessons learned from their recent challenge.

Post a Comment

0 Comments