Finidi George has insisted that Rivers United F.C.’s title ambition remains firmly alive despite a painful 1–0 defeat to Bayelsa United F.C. in the South South derby.
The clash at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa delivered an early twist when Rivers United captain Temple Emekayi inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 12th minute. That solitary goal proved decisive, as Bayelsa United held on to claim local bragging rights and dent Rivers United’s momentum.
The defeat saw Rivers United drop to second place on the Nigeria Premier Football League table, with eight time champions Rangers International F.C. climbing to the summit following a 2–0 home victory over Nasarawa United.
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Despite the setback, Finidi struck a composed and determined tone after the match.
“If losing to Bayelsa United will give us the league title, I’ll accept it,” he said.
“We know the purpose of our campaign this season is to win the league. It’s quite unfortunate that we lost today.”
Rivers United still have three outstanding fixtures, a factor that keeps their destiny within reach. The title race remains tight, and mathematically, the Pride of Rivers are far from out of contention.
Analytically, the loss exposes the thin margins defining the campaign. An early defensive lapse forced Rivers United to chase the game, but despite spells of control, they struggled to convert pressure into goals. In a race this intense, moments of concentration often separate champions from contenders.
For Finidi and his squad, the challenge now is response. With games in hand and the finish line approaching, consistency and composure will determine whether this defeat becomes a turning point or merely a stumble on the road to glory.
The dream is intact. The margin for error, however, is disappearing fast.
