‘We are scoring now’ – Finidi George confident Rivers United can sustain strong Nigerian league start

Rivers United technical adviser Finidi George believes his side are better equipped to challenge in this season’s Nigeria Premier Football League after making an unbeaten start to the campaign.

The Port Harcourt club have collected positive results from their opening four matches, building on a strong finish to last season when they ended the campaign as runners-up behind Rangers.

Finidi’s confidence has been boosted by signs that Rivers United are beginning to solve one of their biggest problems from their recent matches — converting chances into goals.

The former NPFL champions had created opportunities without consistently finding the net, particularly during their continental campaign, which eventually ended in elimination.

However, their improved attacking efficiency in the latest league outing against Kun Khalifat has given Finidi encouragement that his team are starting to find their rhythm.

“The players that we signed this season are much better than last season. I have always said the quality in the squad is much better,” Finidi told the club’s media.

Finidi sees improved squad depth

The former Nigeria international believes the quality of the squad has improved significantly following their recruitment ahead of the new campaign.

He feels the additions have given Rivers United greater strength and helped create a team capable of competing at a higher level than last season.

Despite their continental disappointment, Finidi maintained that the underlying performances showed his players were capable of producing better results if they became more clinical in front of goal.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t convert the chances we created in the continent, and we were eliminated,” he said.

That issue has now begun to change, with Rivers United finding greater efficiency in the final third during their domestic campaign.

Finidi believes the players are gradually adapting to his expectations and developing the consistency required to sustain their strong opening.

“I think the players are beginning to get it right. We hope they continue this way because you never know what will happen in the future,” he added.

Rivers United targeting consistency

The unbeaten run has placed Rivers United in a strong early position, but Finidi is focused on maintaining their progress rather than looking too far ahead.

He believes the squad has the technical quality to play attractive and effective football, provided they continue to take advantage of the opportunities they create.

The improvement in their finishing has therefore become an important development for a side hoping to build on last season’s second-place finish.

“I believe we will continue this way. I know my players can play good football, but converting chances was our problem. We are scoring now, and we hope to continue the same way.”

With four matches played without defeat, Rivers United will now look to maintain their momentum and turn their improved attacking output into a sustained challenge in the NPFL.