Finidi predicts tough Enyimba clash

Rivers United coach, Finidi George, anticipates a tough test when he faces his former employers Enyimba in one of the high-profile 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League match-day four games on Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The highly anticipated clash is a South-South derby, but the stakes have been raised again as Finidi will be facing off against his former assistant coach, Yemi Olanrewaju, in what has been dubbed master vs. apprentice.

Both teams are yet to lose any game this season, and Finidi believes his first meeting with his former employers won’t come easy. “We are playing against Enyimba; it’s going to be a difficult game, but I’ve always said we will take our game one at a time,” Finidi said after their 1-0 win over Nasarawa United last week.

Finidi handpicked Olarenwaju as his assistant when he was announced as Enyimba’s coach in September 2022, and they led the Aba giants to a record-extending ninth Nigeria Premier League title in 2023.

Finidi left his role at Enyimba to take over the ill-fated Super Eagles job in April, and Olarenwaju was appointed interim head coach of the team till the end of the season and was confirmed as the permanent head coach of the People’s Elephants in August.

After three games under Finidi, Rivers United have picked up seven points, with four coming on the road just as Olanrewaju has led Enyimba to two wins in two matches, including an away win over Heartland.

The young coach also guided them to the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup last weekend

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]