Former Nigerian coach Finidi George suffers heartbreak like Super Eagles

Finidi George returned to the NPFL after a short spell with the Super Eagles. || X

Former Nigerian coach Finidi George suffers heartbreak like Super Eagles

Izuchukwu Akawor • Izuchukwu Akawor • 11:37 - 27.03.2025

Former Super Eagles coach Finidi George has experienced a setback in his bid to close the gap between his Rivers United and NPFL leaders Remo Stars as the title race took another interesting twist.

Finidi George, the former Super Eagles head coach, is tasting heartbreak once again, this time in his quest to steer Rivers United closer to NPFL leaders Remo Stars. 

Finidi’s Rivers United faced a sting of frustration in Yenagoa on Wednesday evening, as his Pride of Rivers fell 1-0 to Bayelsa United. 

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Kehinde Malik struck in the 19th minute, handing Bayelsa the decisive moment in a match where Rivers squandered a golden opportunity to narrow the gap to Remo Stars to just two points. 

With the league leaders idle this round, Rivers had already cut the deficit to five points and were poised to pile on the pressure, only to leave empty-handed.

Former Super Eagles boss Finidi George

Speaking post-match, in video shared by the club on their official social media account, Finidi remained gracious despite the defeat. 

“They won it but if we want to go about the play and what really happened, we don't deserve to lose today,” he said. 

Bayelsa United.

“But that's football, we are not focused on Bayelsa. We have to think about our next home match which is against Remo [Stars]," he added.

The loss is a bitter pill for Finidi, whose Rivers United side now faces an uphill battle to challenge Remo Stars’ lead. 

Finidi George is looking for his second NPFL title after leading Enyimba to their ninth.

It’s a familiar narrative for the ex-Super Eagles boss, who resigned after adding to Nigeria’s faltering World Cup qualifying campaign after picking just one point from six against South Africa and Benin Republic last year. 

For a coach accustomed to rallying his troops after setbacks, the next match against the leaders in the league offers a shot at redemption and a step toward closing the gap on the summit. 

Finidi George loved what he saw from his players despite the loss.
Finidi George loved what he saw from his players despite the loss.

Fans will hope Finidi can channel the resolve he admires in his players to rewrite the script of recent heartbreaks.