Coach calls for focus and game management following late equaliser against Abia Warriors.

Finidi George

Rivers United coach Finidi George has challenged the mentality of his players after conceding a stoppage-time goal that denied them a win against Abia Warriors in a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match-day 16 game in Umuahia on Sunday.

Rivers United had taken the lead in the 86th minute through Maclyn Biokpo, assisted by Ubong Friday, marking Biokpo’s third goal in as many games. However, Suraj Lawal capitalised on too much space in the six-yard box to score deep in stoppage time, cancelling Rivers’ late advantage.

A victory would have propelled Rivers United to the top of the NPFL table, despite having played two games fewer than other sides. The late concession mirrored their recent setback in the CAF Champions League against RS Berkane, highlighting a recurring mental lapse.

“It’s all about concentration. What can be done? I don’t know, but we just have to keep working and get stronger mentally to be able to manage the games when the match is almost over,” Finidi said.
“It wasn’t a physical thing, it’s a mental thing, about managing games. At that point, it’s not the coach that will manage that for you… We came here not to lose, and at some point, we were ahead, maybe the players weren’t thinking we would be ahead.”

Following the draw, Rivers United remain third in the NPFL with 27 points from 14 matches. They will face Plateau United in a rescheduled fixture on Thursday.