Head coach of Rivers United F.C., Finidi George, finally dey happy small after e carry im team grind one very important win against Barau FC for their rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League match wey dem play for Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Late goal from Stephen Manyo na im finally give di PH City boys something to celebrate, and Finidi no hide im relief after im team manage hold tight collect narrow 1-0 win, na weytin hitvibz dey yan be dat.
Rivers United Stop Winless Run as Finidi Finally Smile
Before this match, the new NPFL table leaders don go seven matches for all competitions without win (DLLLDDW).
That run include hard games for CAF Champions League plus some frustrating draws for league.
So this NPFL victory really mean plenty for dem.
As Finidi dey talk about the performance, e yarn say:
“I think say we play very good game, the only thing wey miss na goal. We dey find that goal but e no easy. Like Enyimba do before, dem start dey waste time and referee start dey show cards. Second half, na Rivers full ground. We push well well but goal no gree come until that last moment.
So today na day to smile. Make una allow me smile small; e don tey wey I smile. E slim win, but we happy say we collect three points.”
The breakthrough come for 85th minute. Short corner from Wasiu Falolu reach Issac Annor, wey smartly pass im marker before e drop ball for Stephen Manyo.
The 25-year-old centre-back no waste time, fire first-time shot from outside box, and home fans burst into serious celebration.
That goal no just break Barau seven-match unbeaten run, e also push Rivers go top of NPFL table, while Barau drop go 13th position with 34 points.
Finidi Want More Even After Three Points
Even with the joy, Finidi talk say performance still matter pass anything.
“For second half, apart from that one shot wey dem get, na Rivers control everything. If match end 3-1, nobody go complain. But na football. We go accept this win and focus on how to rest the boys well for weekend match against Bayelsa United F.C..”
Coach admit say goal scoring still be small wahala for Port Harcourt side.
“We dey train them, we dey do drills, but when match day reach, we dey struggle to score. I no even fit explain why. For this league, top scorer get maybe nine goals after 20-something matches. So e show say league hard. Many factors dey. But still, we suppose dey score goals.
If you create three or four chances, at least two suppose enter. But for today, I happy with the three points.”
Now attention don shift to Bayelsa United — team wey beat Rivers home and away last season.
“E no dey ever easy against them. Last season dem beat us for home and away. This time we go try avoid that. I lose here before; we no wan lose for Bayelsa again. But most important thing na recovery.
This league na marathon. Every three or four days, match dey. So recovery and mental preparation na key.”
When dem ask am whether e go give special gift to match winner Stephen Manyo, Finidi laugh talk say:
“I don dey give them gifts since. I don too kind to them this season. Now na their turn to make me happy too.”
As e compare last season to this one, the Rivers boss point to league table as proof say dem don improve.
“Last season around this time, I think we dey third or fourth. But now, with games we don play and outstanding matches, we dey top of the table. That na the difference.
But this no be time to dey look back. Na to move forward and see how we fit get the best this season.”
With Bayelsa United F.C. and El-Kanemi Warriors F.C. next for schedule, Rivers United dey enter one serious period wey go decide their title race.
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Last Updated on February 26, 2026 1:24 pm by Hitvibz Media
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