Finidi George urges Rivers United to avoid loss vs San Pedro in CAF qualifier
Rivers United head coach Finidi George has challenged his players to secure a positive result in the CAF Champions League qualifying first leg against Ivorian side San Pedro, set for Saturday in Abidjan. Speaking to the media, Finidi said avoiding defeat—whether a draw or a narrow win—would give the team confidence ahead of the return fixture in Port Harcourt. He emphasized that his squad, largely revamped with new recruits, showed promise in their domestic opener against Plateau United and is ready for another strong performance. Finidi acknowledged San Pedro as a young, physical team but believes Rivers United’s own youthful recruitment balances the contest. The manager noted Nigerian fans’ expectations for the club to improve on its previous continental run, which reached the quarter-finals, and stressed that progress depends on effort, not just hope. Financial incentives from advancing deeper in the competition also came up, with Finidi expressing a desire to achieve better results while maintaining quality football. The first leg represents a crucial opportunity for Rivers United to gain an advantage before the second leg at home.