NPFL: Finidi Blames Psychological Fatigue for Rivers United’s Sluggish Start Against Kano Pillars

NPFL: Finidi Blames Psychological Fatigue for Rivers United’s Sluggish Start Against Kano Pillars

By Our Reporter 

Rivers United head coach Finidi George says his players struggled with psychological fatigue in their hard-fought 1–0 win over Kano Pillars in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday 15 fixture on Wednesday night in Port Harcourt, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Boluwaji Sholumade scored the decisive goal in the 88th minute, securing a crucial victory that lifts Rivers United to third place on the table with 26 points from 13 matches and two games in hand.

Speaking after the game, Finidi acknowledged that the team’s disappointing 1–2 CAF Champions League loss to RS Berkane in Uyo days earlier weighed heavily on the squad.

“It was a difficult game and we knew that from the start,” the former Super Eagles winger said. “Coming from that defeat in the CAF Champions League, I think it affected the players psychologically.

“It’s always difficult when you lose like that and then return home to play a league game. Psyching up the players was not easy at all. You could see in the first half they were a little sloppy.”

Finidi, however, praised his players’ improved intensity after the break.

“In the second half, they pushed, and luckily for us, we got the goal. We’re happy with the three points.”

Rivers United next travel to Umuahia for a matchday 16 clash against sixth-placed Abia Warriors on Sunday, December 7, 2025.