Finidi Praises Rivers United Despite Draw As Buter Laments Sporting Lagos Defeat

Rivers United technical adviser, Finidi George, has praised his players for their performance despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Nasarawa United in their Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 4 encounter at the Lafia City Stadium on Sunday.

Rivers United took the lead in the 66th minute when Nasarawa United defender Harrison Ebah inadvertently turned the ball into his own net. However, the hosts fought back late in the game, with Musa Yakubu converting a penalty six minutes before full time to secure a share of the points.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Finidi expressed satisfaction with his team’s overall display but admitted that his players dropped too deep towards the closing stages of the match, a situation he believed contributed to the penalty conceded.

“Every game is difficult, even when playing at home this season. We have to find a way to get the much-needed points,” Finidi said after the encounter.

He noted that his players performed well but failed to maintain their defensive shape as the match approached its conclusion. Finidi also questioned the penalty decision but said the team had to accept the referee’s call and focus on its next fixture.

The result leaves Rivers United with seven points from three matches, according to the latest NPFL standings, and the club will next turn its attention to Kun Khalifat FC.

Meanwhile, Sporting Lagos head coach Jeffrey Buter expressed disappointment after his side suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Abia Warriors at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. The defeat was confirmed in the league’s official results.

Buter maintained that Sporting Lagos controlled significant portions of the match and created threatening moments but were punished after losing possession on two occasions.

The coach explained that mistakes by Aliu and Stanley allowed Abia Warriors to launch counter-attacks that resulted in both goals. He also defended his tactical decisions, saying the choices made during the game appeared appropriate based on how the encounter was unfolding, although he acknowledged that different substitutions might be considered in hindsight.

In Kano, Ahmed Musa was named SWAN Man of the Match after helping Kano Pillars secure a 4-1 victory over Doma United at the Sani Abacha Stadium. The result moved Kano Pillars to seven points from three matches, while Doma United remained top of the table on nine points.

Musa scored Kano Pillars’ third goal in the 77th minute, marking his first goal of the season. Abdullahi Musa, Rabiu Ali and Nasiru Salihu were also on target for the hosts, while Sadiq Rilwan scored Doma United’s only goal.

Kano Pillars technical adviser Daniel Ogunmodede said his team had prepared extensively for the encounter because of Doma United’s strong start to the campaign. He explained that the visitors’ goal created pressure for his side, prompting him to introduce fresh players in midfield and attack to limit their threat.

The Matchday 4 results have left the early-season NPFL race tightly contested, with Doma United leading on nine points, followed by Barau FC on eight, while Kano Pillars and Rivers United occupy the next positions with seven points apiece.