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Finidi George and his Rivers United have been accused of being desperate for points after four matches without a win.
Following a controversial 1-0 victory over Abia Warriors, Finidi George's Rivers United has faced accusations of desperation in their pursuit of points in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The match, held in Port Harcourt, ended with Ndifreke Effiong scoring a penalty that has since sparked debate over its legitimacy.
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Rivers United entered the game needing a win after struggling to find form, having not secured a victory in their previous four matches.
The tension was palpable as they faced an Abia Warriors side eager to capitalise on their opponents' vulnerabilities.
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The decisive moment came in the 58th minute when Effiong converted a penalty kick, awarded under contentious circumstances. This goal not only marked a crucial win for Rivers United but also reignited discussions about the quality of officiating in the league.
Abia Warriors' manager, Imama Amapakabo, was particularly vocal about his team's treatment during the match.
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He expressed his concerns before the game, stating he had reservations about playing against a team he perceived as desperate.
Amapakabo remarked on the unhealthy nature of such desperation in Nigerian football, emphasising that it creates an environment where fair play is compromised.
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“I told my team that I didn’t want to come for this game because I knew that we were coming to play against a desperate team,” he told the media after the game. “It’s unhealthy for Nigerian football where you play against desperate teams.”
The 2016 NPFL winner with Enugu Rangers also questioned the penalty decisions that influenced the match, saying;
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“Let’s discuss the incident before the end of the first half - was it a penalty? Let us also discuss the first 10 minutes of the second half, was it a penalty? These are questions that I need to ask after reviews of these situations.”
“Unfortunately, I dont have the privilege of having to see these situations i talked about,” he added. “But then, the game has come, it has ended Rivers United won, lessons to be learnt for all of us here.”
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Despite the win propelling Rivers United back to the top of the NPFL standings, Amapakabo's comments highlight ongoing issues regarding competitive integrity and officiating standards within the league.
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