Finidi George excited as Rivers United cruise past El Kanemi to claim top spot of Nigerian league

Finidi George could not hide his excitement after Rivers United delivered a commanding 3–0 victory over El Kanemi Warriors in their rescheduled clash in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) in Port Harcourt.

The convincing win pushed Rivers United to the summit of the NPFL standings, overtaking Rangers International FC while still having two games in hand in the race for the league title.

Speaking during the post-match press conference, Finidi praised his team’s attacking intent and their ability to make an early breakthrough, something he believes made a significant difference in the outcome of the match.

“I think it was a good game. This time around, we created chances and scored very early,” Finidi said.

The former Nigerian international highlighted how scoring early allowed his team to play with more confidence and freedom compared to previous matches where they often struggled to protect narrow leads.

“That early goal gave us the energy to go for more. Normally, we used to score in the last ten minutes of a game, the 80th or 84th minute, and then we start struggling to defend that one goal,” he explained.

“But that wasn’t the case in this one. And 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,” he added with a laugh.

The emphatic result not only strengthened Rivers United’s title ambitions but also highlighted the team’s growing attacking confidence as the season enters a crucial stage. With two matches still in hand, Finidi’s side now holds a significant advantage as they aim to maintain their momentum and stay ahead in the fiercely contested NPFL title race.