Finidi challenges Rivers United players’ mentality

Finidi George

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Rivers United coach Finidi George has challenged the mentality of his players after conceding another stoppage-time goal, which denied them a win against Abia Warriors in a Nigeria Premier Football League match-day 16 game in Umuahia on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

With the game scoreless for the most part, Maclyn Biokpo broke the deadlock for Rivers United in the 86th minute, but Suraj Lawal equalised for the hosts deep in stoppage time, denying Finidi’s men a priceless away win.

Ubong Friday delivered a pinpoint cross to an onrushing Biokpo, who slotted past Okiemute Odah in Abia Warriors’ goal for his third goal in as many games, while Lawal was given too much time and space in the Rivers’ six-yard box to head in the equaliser.

A win in Umuahia would have taken Rivers United to the top of the table, despite playing two games less than other teams.

The stoppage time capitulation was similar to what the Port Harcourt side suffered in the CAF Champions League against RS Berkane two week ago, and Finidi didn’t seem happy with his players.

“It’s all about concentration. What can be done? I don’t know, but we just have to keep working and get stronger mentally to be able to manage the games when the match is almost over,” Finidi said after Sunday’s draw.

“It wasn’t a physical thing, it’s a mental thing, about managing games. At that point, it’s not the coach that will manage that for you. We have made our changes to fortify the midfield and when you have the ball like that, you have to defend. Kick the ball out but it’s quite unfortunate the time that goal came.

“We came here not to lose and at some point, we were ahead, maybe the players weren’t thinking we would be ahead.”

Following Sunday’s result, Rivers United are third in the NPFL with 27 points from 14 matches. They will face Plateau United in a rescheduled game on Thursday.

Abiodun, who reports Sports for PUNCH, covers different tiers of the Nigerian football league, the national teams, as well as cricket, in the last six years

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