What Finidi George said after Rivers United beat Heartland in the NPFL
Rivers United head coach Finidi George expressed confidence in his team’s performance, stating they fully deserved their 3-1 victory over Heartland FC during their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday two clash.
The match, held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Saturday, saw the Pride of Rivers overcome Emmanuel Amuneke’s Heartland side in a fiercely contested encounter.
Rivers United took an early lead just three minutes in, as Taofeek Otaniyi expertly headed in a cross from Aniekeme Okon, beating Heartland goalkeeper Ebuka Nwokocha. However, Heartland responded before halftime when Christian Molokwu equalized from a long throw-in by Chijioke Opara.
Substitute Kabir Abdullahi made a decisive impact in the second half, restoring Rivers United’s lead with a well-placed strike on 60 minutes. He later sealed the win with his second goal of the match during additional time, ensuring a comfortable victory for Finidi George’s side.
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Reflecting on the game, George praised his team’s resilience and tactical discipline, particularly in the second half.
“It was a good game. We started with a high tempo, and after that goal, the tempo dropped, and Heartland started playing. Unfortunately, they got that goal, and we were furious about it,” George said in his post-match interview.
He added, “We had to motivate the boys, especially in the second half. The second half was ours; they couldn’t do much apart from one or two breaks they had. We controlled the game, and overall, we deserved to win.”
The former Super Eagles star also emphasised the progress his squad has made, noting that many of the players are new to the team. “The team is practically new, so we have been working with the players tactically and technically, and they are responding,” Finidi George concluded.
With this win, Rivers United secured their first victory of the season and will be looking to build on this momentum in their upcoming NPFL fixtures.
