Rivers United head coach, Finidi George, has expressed his delight after his side secured a narrow but vital 1-0 victory over Kano Pillars on Wednesday in their rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 15 clash.
The fixture, played at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, saw the Pride of Rivers claim all three points thanks to a decisive strike from Boluwaji Sholumade, who produced the game’s only goal to deliver a much-needed win for the hosts.
Finidi admitted that the result was especially important given the emotional setback his players suffered following their CAF Champions League defeat to RS Berkane last Friday in Uyo. The former Super Eagles winger explained that the disappointment from that continental loss had weighed heavily on the squad coming into the domestic encounter.
“It’s was a difficult game, we knew from the on set because for us coming from the defeat in Uyo it affected the players a bit psychologically,” Finidi stated in a post-match interview.
He acknowledged that his team struggled to find rhythm early on but improved markedly after the break.
“In the first half the players were a little bit sloppy but in the second half they pushed to see how to get the goal but luckily for us we scored and we are happy with the victory,” he added.
The win comes as a significant morale booster for Rivers United as they continue their campaign domestically after their CAF Champions League exit. With Sholumade’s goal ensuring maximum points, Finidi will hope the momentum carries into their upcoming NPFL fixtures.
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