Finidi George talks about Rivers United's first NPFL loss this season

Rivers United Technical Manager Finidi George has pointed to poor decisions in possession and a lack of team defense for his side's 2-1 loss to Bendel Insurance in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). This defeat ended their nine-match unbeaten run in Benin City.

The Pride of Rivers faced their first league loss after nine matches in their tenth game at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. They missed a chance to solidify their spot at the top after Bendel Insurance took advantage of a crucial mistake to earn all three points.

Finidi noted that this match showed individual choices can change the game. When a team loses the ball in a risky area, they must react quickly to counterattacks.

Looking back on the loss, the former Super Eagles coach admitted his players had been too relaxed with the ball at a key moment. This allowed Bendel Insurance to take advantage of the situation.

"It’s football. There are moments of football, you know, where I think players must understand their defensive duties," Finidi said after the match.

He explained that players need to know when to keep the ball safe instead of trying to dribble, which can leave the team vulnerable to counterattacks.

"We were a bit carried away," he said, referring to the decision that ended up being very costly.

Finidi mentioned that the player with the ball should have taken it to the corner to shield it. This would have helped his teammates keep their formation intact and lower the risk of losing the ball.

"But he tried to dribble and went down, lost the ball, and they got that break," he added.

Losing the ball gave Bendel Insurance a chance to attack quickly, and Rivers United could not reorganize their defense in time to stop the hosts from scoring.

The former Ajax player emphasized that the issue was not just the mistake that started the move. He criticized his team's failure to defend together, giving the hosts too much space to attack before scoring.

"We didn’t defend well as a unit, and then there was opening for that two-pass, and then it was a clinical finish, you know," he said.

His comments pointed out two areas Rivers United needs to work on after this defeat: making better choices when managing the ball under pressure and having stronger defensive discipline right after losing the ball.

For a team that had gone nine league matches unbeaten, this loss interrupted their momentum. Rivers United had built their position with a strong run of good results, but the game in Benin City showed what happens when focus slips at a key time.

The coach was also ready to give credit to the opponents, acknowledging that Bendel Insurance took their chance well in a tough match.

"So, we must commend Bendel Insurance. I think both teams played to win or at least get the result..." he said.

The loss means Rivers United must bounce back quickly, with a big match against Enugu Rangers set for November 1.

This upcoming game with Rangers is even more important because of the rivalry between the two teams.

Rangers recently faced disappointment in the continental competition after denying Rivers United the NPFL title last season. Rivers United responded by knocking Rangers out of the President Federation Cup.

That recent history adds extra meaning to the next match, with both sides having challenged each other strongly in past competitions.

For Rivers United, this match is a chance to prove that their defeat in Benin City won't derail their season. After losing their unbeaten record, they need to show the calmness and strength that kept them consistent during their first nine league matches.

Finidi will be especially eager to see his players learn from their mistakes against Bendel Insurance. Making better choices in possession, recovering quickly in defense, and coordinating better during counterattacks will be key for Rivers United to avoid another tough loss.

Although the defeat ended their impressive unbeaten streak, how they respond against Rangers could be just as important as that run itself.

With the league continuing to heat up, Rivers United cannot linger on the disappointment from Benin City. Their next match is a chance to regain confidence, protect their title race position, and show that they have taken Finidi's post-match advice to heart.