Rivers United head coach Finidi George has expressed delight after his side scored three goals in a single match for the first time in the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League season.
The Pride of Rivers secured a convincing 3–0 victory against El-Kanemi Warriors in their rescheduled Matchday 23 fixture at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.
Wisdom Samuel gave the hosts an early advantage nine minutes after kick-off, and Rivers United maintained their lead going into the break.
Chijioke Mbaoma doubled the lead in the 72nd minute before Samuel completed his brace two minutes into added time to seal the victory.
The result lifted Rivers United above Rangers to the top of the NPFL table, although Finidi’s side still have two games in hand.
Speaking after the match, Finidi admitted he was pleased to see his team finally score more than once in a league game.
“I think it was a good game. This time around, we created chances and scored very early,” Finidi said during his post-match press conference.
“That early goal gave us the energy to go for more. Normally, we used to score in the last ten minutes of a game and then we start struggling to defend that one goal.
“But that wasn’t the case in this one. I’m quite happy we’ve broken that jinx. For the first time in the league, we scored three goals. I can’t believe it.”
The former Enyimba coach also revealed the message he delivered to his players during the interval and praised the impact of his substitutions.
“I told them they should continue to keep the intensity going,” he said.
“A couple of players I brought in made that difference. We are quite happy with the introduction of Douglas Iyowuna, who gave us freshness and clarity in midfield.
“This is his second game and, judging by the overall performance, we deserved the three points.”
Despite the comfortable win, Rivers United missed several opportunities to increase their advantage.
Finidi, however, insisted the players will improve as their confidence grows.
“I feel that before now there was doubt about whether we could score more than one goal in a game,” he said.
“So having scored three today, it should serve as extra motivation for the players. Anybody can score. A winger scored two goals today and that is what we expect from all the players.
“We should have goals coming from different departments of the team, including midfielders and defenders.”
Rivers United now sit top of the NPFL standings with 49 points, while Rangers occupy second place with 47 points from 28 matches.
Finidi’s side will host Bendel Insurance at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in their Matchday 29 fixture, while Rangers welcome defending champions Remo Stars to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, this weekend.
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