“We were a bit carried away” – Finidi explains Rivers United’s first NPFL defeat this season

Finidi George Credit: Finidi George on X

Rivers United Technical Manager Finidi George has blamed poor decision-making in possession and a collective defensive lapse for his side’s 2-1 defeat to Bendel Insurance in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), bringing their nine-match unbeaten run to an end in Benin City.

The Pride of Rivers suffered their first league defeat after nine matches in their tenth fixture at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, missing the opportunity to strengthen their position at the summit after Bendel Insurance capitalised on a costly turnover to secure all three points.

For Finidi, the decisive moment was a reminder that matches at this level can turn on individual decisions, particularly when a team loses possession in a dangerous area and fails to respond quickly enough to the opposition’s counterattack.

Reflecting on the defeat, the former Super Eagles coach admitted that his players had been too casual on the ball at a crucial stage of the contest, allowing Bendel Insurance to exploit the opening.

“It’s football. There are moments of football, you know, where I think players must understand their defensive duties,” Finidi said in his post-match assessment.

The Rivers United manager explained that his players needed to recognise when to retain possession safely rather than attempt an unnecessary dribble that could expose the team to an immediate counterattack.

“We were a bit carried away,” he said, pointing to the decision that ultimately proved costly.

According to Finidi, the player in possession should have taken the ball to the corner and tried to shield it, helping his teammates maintain shape and reducing the risk of a dangerous turnover.

“But he tried to dribble and went down, lost the ball, and they got that break,” he added.

The loss of possession gave Bendel Insurance a chance to launch a quick attack, and Rivers United couldn’t recover their defensive organisation in time to stop the hosts from taking advantage.

The former Ajax man stressed that the problem wasn’t limited to the individual error that started the move. He also criticised his side’s failure to defend collectively, allowing the hosts too much space to progress through the defence before finishing clinically.

“We didn’t defend well as a unit, and then there was opening for that two-pass, and then it was a clinical finish, you know,” he said.

His assessment highlighted two areas Rivers United must address following the setback: better judgement when managing possession under pressure and greater defensive discipline immediately after losing the ball.

For a team that had gone nine league matches without defeat, the loss significantly interrupted their momentum. Rivers United had built their position through a sustained run of positive results, but the trip to Benin City exposed the consequences of losing concentration at a decisive moment.

The gaffer, however, was also willing to acknowledge the contribution of the opposition, recognising Bendel Insurance for making the most of their opportunity in a closely contested encounter.

“So, we must commend Bendel Insurance. I think both teams played to win or at least get the result…” he said.

The result leaves Rivers United to respond quickly, with a major test against Enugu Rangers scheduled for 1 November.

The upcoming meeting with Rangers carries additional significance because of the growing competitive rivalry between the two clubs.

Rangers are fresh from continental disappointment, having denied Rivers United the NPFL title last season, a disappointment the Pride of Rivers subsequently answered by eliminating the Flying Antelopes from the President Federation Cup.

That recent history adds another dimension to the forthcoming encounter, with both sides having already inflicted significant blows on each other in domestic competition.

For Rivers United, the fixture also offers an immediate chance to show that their defeat in Benin City will not derail their campaign. After losing their unbeaten run, they must now show the composure and resilience that kept them consistent through their previous nine league matches.

Finidi will be particularly keen to see his players learn from the mistakes against Bendel Insurance. Better decisions in possession, quicker defensive recovery and improved coordination when the opposition launches a counterattack will be crucial if Rivers United are to avoid another costly setback.

The defeat may have ended their impressive unbeaten sequence, but the response against Rangers could prove just as important as the run itself.

With the league campaign continuing to gather momentum, Rivers United cannot afford to dwell on the disappointment in Benin City. Their next assignment offers a chance to regain confidence, protect their position in the title race and show that the lessons from Finidi’s post-match assessment have been taken on board.