NPFL: Finidi extends unbeaten run to seven games as Rivers United regain top spot
Shooting Stars lose for the third time in last four games, Remo Stars whipped in Jos to lose top spot
Finidi George extended his unbeaten start to the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier League season to seven games after leading Rivers United to a 2-0 defeat of visiting Shooting Stars at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Two second half goals by Aniekeme Asuquo Okon (51st minute) and Ndifreke Udo Effiong (65th minute) ensured a fourth straight home win and fifth win overall for the former Super Eagles winger and manager.
The win takes Finidi and Rivers United back to the top of the log with 17 points from seven games, two more than second placed Remo stars who lost 3-1 at Plateau United.
Finidi joined Rivers United on July 4, 2024 after resigning his appointment as Super Eagles head coach less than a month earlier after spending less than two months on the job.
He is one of three former 1994 Super Eagles stars who played in Nigeria’s first World Cup in the USA who are coaching in the Nigerian topflight league.
Shooting Stars have now lost their third game in their last four games and have won just once in seven games this season.
At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Bendel Insurance recorded their second home win of the season following their 3-0 mauling of visiting Bayelsa United.
Kayode Oke Solomon opened scoring for the Edo Arsenals in the 17th minute before two second half goals by Nnamdi Anthony (78th minute) and Michael Enaruna (92nd minute) sealed the win and all three points.
In Owerri, precisely at the the Dan Anyiam stadium, Emmanuel Amuneke failed to win at home for the third time in four games after his team, Heartland forced visiting Ikorodu City to a 1-1 draw.
The visitors scored as early as the fifth minute through Salau Yusuf to take a 1-0 lead in the first half. Chukwuma Agor saved Amuneke from losing at home for the second game with the equalizer on 66 minutes.
Katsina United scored in the first half at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina to condemn Akwa United to their fourth defeat of the season while Katsina United recorded their fourth win of the season to move up to fifth on the log with 11 points in seven games.
