Finidi aims for strong start as Rivers United kicks off Champions League journey

Rivers United manager Finidi George has told his players to aim for a good result against San Pedro from Côte d'Ivoire as they start their CAF Champions League qualifying campaign on Saturday.

The former Super Eagles coach spoke to reporters ahead of the first-leg match in Abidjan. He said Rivers United's main goal is to avoid losing and come back home with a result that boosts their confidence for the second leg.

When asked if he hoped to "strike gold" in Abidjan this time, Finidi was careful with his words but made it clear his team would give their all for a good outcome.

"We’ll try. We’ll try our best to see how we can get a good result," he said.

For Finidi, a good result does not always mean winning. He thinks not losing will give his team a strong advantage for the return match.

"Not losing. 0-0, it could be 1-1. Okay, not losing should be a good result," he explained.

Rivers United will go into the game with a mostly new squad. Finidi mentioned that most of the players are fresh faces.

The manager said this new team already showed promise in their domestic opener against Plateau United. He expects another strong performance in Abidjan.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, of course. The majority of the players are new players. So, we have seen them against Plateau United.

"They did well, so we are looking forward to another good game."

With Nigerian clubs wanting to go further in CAF competitions, Finidi knows the pressure on Rivers United.

He was reminded that Nigerians want their teams to do well across Africa and hope Rivers United can improve on their last continental campaign, where they reached the group stage and made it to the quarter-finals.

Finidi, however, said his team is not limiting their goals.

"Everything is possible in football. We are looking to get the best results this season. If that means getting to quarter-finals, semi-finals, that would be a good one for us," he said.

The talk also shifted to the money that comes with doing well in the CAF Champions League. Finidi was encouraged to aim for the prize money.

"I hope we do better. I hope we do better," he replied.

When asked about his use of the word "hope" given the high expectations, Finidi made it clear that Rivers United will not just rely on hope but will work hard to deliver good football and results.

"It’s not a must, but we will try to see how we can play good football and impress people. At the same time, get the desired results that we want," he said.

Finidi has also studied what San Pedro might bring to the game and expects a physical challenge from the Ivorian team.

He described San Pedro as a young and strong team but believes his own squad has similar traits after bringing in younger players in the off-season.

"Yes, I know. It’s a physical side, a young team. They have young players that are physical. So, we too, we have young players.

"We have recruited young players this time around. There will be this balance of power, I will put it that way. We have age on our side. So, we are looking forward to a good game.

"We will do what we have to do to make sure that we don’t lose. If it means winning the game, I think I will go for it."

The first leg in Abidjan is an important chance for Rivers United to build an advantage before the second match at home.

For Finidi, the focus is clear; stay competitive, avoid losing if possible, and come back to Nigeria with the confidence to finish the job in the second leg.