NPFL: Finidi George targets top spot after Rivers United earn Kano point

Rivers United technical adviser Finidi George says his side can use their goalless draw with Ranchers Bees as a platform to challenge for top spot in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

The Port Harcourt-based club extended their unbeaten start to the season after holding Ranchers Bees at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Monday.

The point lifted Rivers United to second in the table, with 11 points from five matches.

Finidi was pleased with the result, while acknowledging the difficulty of collecting points in Kano.

“It is a good point,” the former Nigeria international told journalists after the game.

“This is a place where it is very difficult to even pick a point. I thought they were ahead of us in the first half, but we came out better in the second half.”

Rivers United will return to action on Wednesday when they travel to face Katsina United, with victory potentially taking them to the top of the NPFL standings.

Finidi said his players were focused on claiming all three points and achieving that objective after the draw against Ranchers Bees.

“It is crucial, and we want to be at the top after our next match. This one point in Kano will go a long way. At the end of the day, you will see that it can put you in a good place,” he added.

The Rivers United technical adviser also said his team would quickly regroup before attempting to produce an improved performance in Katsina.

“We will just regroup and see how these boys can compete again,” Finidi said.

He had earlier highlighted the contrast between the two halves in Kano, noting that Ranchers Bees had been the stronger team before the interval before Rivers United improved after the break.

The draw came in Rivers United’s matchday six encounter, although the result leaves them with five matches recorded and 11 points on the league table.

Finidi said the immediate priority was now Wednesday’s fixture and the opportunity it presents to move into first place.

“We are looking forward to the next game and seeing how we can have a better performance in Katsina on Wednesday,” he said.