Rivers United coach Finidi George is confident that the team will return to winning ways against Sunshine Stars after their disappointing 2-0 defeat to Abia Warriors.
The Pride of Rivers NPFL title hopes suffered a dent with the defeat in Umuahia but table-toppers Remo Stars failed to take full advantage with a home draw against Katsina United.
Rivers United are seven points behind Remo Stars on the NPFL log with five matches to go.
Finidi George is not concerned about the point difference, while still retaining hopes of overtaking Remo Stars.
He said: “It was not a bad game. I think we started well. We even had one or two chances in the first half, but we didn’t take them,” he said.
“That goal from them opened the game up for them, it let them have that calmness. For me, from that distance, I wasn’t expecting that ball to get in.
“In a game like this, that is very tight. If you let the opponent score a goal like that, it will give them that boost.
“In the second half, we had to play differently. We brought in two strikers to see how we could. When they saw that we did that, they controlled the game a little bit more. They got that second goal. In this league, you are playing at home, and you score two goals. At that point, the match was over.”
Finidi also denied claims that the team is under pressure to qualify for CAF Champions League, and the pressure is affecting the team.
He said: “No, no, no. What is that now? How many points do we have?
“Of course, they are playing away. Other teams are playing away. We are playing at home. So, we are going to win at home. We are extending it to five again. I am not quite worried about that.
“Of course, they (Abia Warriors) won at home. So, we are definitely going to win at home,” he said confidently.
“This is a critical time where you don’t take things for granted. We are playing against Sunshine. I know we are going to win. Whatever team; unless other teams go away as well and win, we will just focus on our home game. Yes, we have three home games. We will take care of our home game.”
Rivers United have now suffered two consecutive away defeats to Remo Stars, and Abia Warriors.
Under Finidi George this season, Rivers United have won 15 matches, drawn 10 and lost eight of their 33 matches in the NPFL.
