Rivers United head coach Finidi George could barely hide his satisfaction after watching his side sweep aside El Kanemi Warriors 3-0 in their rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League clash in Port Harcourt.
The win not only delivered three valuable points in the NPFL title race but also ended a frustrating pattern of narrow 1-0 victories that had defined much of Rivers United’s campaign.
Rivers United break 1-0 pattern in style
Speaking after the game, Finidi admitted the early breakthrough changed everything for Rivers United.
“I think it was a good game; this time around we created chances, and we could score early. That early goal gave us that energy to go for more.
Normally we score in the 88th minute, 84th minute, and we start struggling to see how we can defend that one goal.
I’m quite happy we’ve broken that jinx. For the first time in the league scoring three goals, I can’t believe it.”
On a rain-soaked evening at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Rivers United looked sharp from the first whistle.
Wisdom Samuel needed just nine minutes to fire the hosts ahead, setting the tempo in what became their biggest win of the season.
Unlike previous NPFL matches where Rivers United had to defend slim leads late on, this time they controlled possession and pinned El Kanemi Warriors deep in their own half for long spells.
Finidi backs squad depth as goals flow
At the break, the message from the bench was simple.
“Yeah! They should continue; they should keep that intensity going. A couple of players that we brought in at least made that difference.”
Rivers United responded by maintaining their tempo in the second half. Chijioke Mbaoma calmly converted from the spot to double the advantage before Samuel completed his brace with a powerful finish.
Despite the three goals, there were moments when the Pride of Rivers could have added more.
Finidi acknowledged the need for sharper finishing but believes the psychological barrier has now been removed.
“I feel, before this time, there was doubt if we could score more than a goal. Having scored three today, I think that is an extra motivation for the players. We hope they continue this way. Believing that they can score goals.
Anybody can score. Winger scored two goals today. That’s what we expect from all the players. We should be having goals from different departments of the team.
Midfielders, lately it was the defenders that were scoring. Today, the midfielder, Winger, scored two goals.
Let’s see how the next match will look like. This should be an extra motivation for them to believe that they can do it.”
The result extends Rivers United’s unbeaten run against El Kanemi Warriors and pushes them back to the top of the NPFL table, two points clear of their closest challengers with games in hand.
Focus remains on NPFL title race
While fans may hope this signals a shift towards more attacking dominance, Finidi remains grounded in his priorities.
“For me, it is about winning. If we’ll be winning 1-0, 1-0, 1-0, and that means we win the league, I will sign.
Right now, I will sign it. But for a striker who has been working so hard and having opportunities to score, it has not happened for him.
Today, I think he worked so hard. Apart from the goal, I think he had a good game. This will be a motivation for him to keep doing what he knows best, which is goal scoring.
I hope, going forward, he will be scoring goals to help the team. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.”
For Rivers United, the victory over El Kanemi Warriors could prove to be a turning point in their NPFL campaign.
With confidence restored, squad depth showing value, and momentum building ahead of the South-South derby against Bendel Insurance, the Pride of Rivers look ready for the next chapter in their title push.