NPFL: Finidi George regrets missed chances in draw at Sunshine Stars

By Saheed Afolabi

Rivers United coach, Finidi George, has expressed his disappointment over the missed chances in his team’s 1-1 draw with Sunshine Stars, despite dominating the game from the start.

The Pride of Rivers created several opportunities, particularly in the first half, but failed to capitalize, which ultimately cost them the win at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode. While he praised both teams for their efforts, Finidi believes his side could have emerged victorious if they had converted their chances.

“I think it was a very good game. They (Sunshine Stars) played to win, and we also played to win,” Finidi said in his post-match interview.

“In the first half, we had a couple of decent chances we should have converted. If we had scored a second goal to make it 2-0, the game would have been different. But in football, when you don’t take your chances, you get punished.”

The coach also criticized his defense for conceding a “cheap” free-kick goal, which allowed Sunshine Stars to equalize. He noted that the goal came from a free header that should have been better defended.

“They got a free kick, and I think we should have defended it much better. The player got a free header, which shouldn’t have happened, but credit to them, they fought hard to get the equaliser,” he added.

When asked if the draw was what he expected, Finidi was clear: “No, no. I was hoping we’d score a second goal to give us an edge, even if they later scored. That could have made it 2-1 in our favour, but unfortunately, that didn’t happen.”

Rivers United remain in second place on the NPFL table with 26 points from 14 games. They will look to bounce back when they host Kano Pillars in their next match on Sunday, December 1st, at their home ground.