In Saturday’s highly anticipated Nigeria Premier Football League, between Rivers United and Heartland FC ended 3-1 in favour of the host in Port Harcourt
On the day that Emmanuel Amunike, his former Super Eagles teammate, led Heartland FC to Port Harcourt, Rivers United coach Finidi knew that only victory would confirm his reputation as the better mastermind.
Regarded as two of the greatest wingers in Nigerian football history, the two former internationals were both a part of the country’s 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winning team.
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They also scored goals for the Super Eagles during Nigeria’s historic 1994 FIFA World Cup campaign in the US.
Since then, both men have entered the coaching field, and earlier this year, they were considered for the head coach job with the Super Eagles.
After a month of service, Finidi resigned from his position due to unsatisfactory performance and a purported lack of backing from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
It was Finidi and Amunike’s first meeting as coaches, which took place on Saturday in the NPFL.
But the Pride of Rivers prevailed thanks to Finidi’s tactical advantage and a standout effort from attacker Kabiru Abdullahi.
In just the third minute of play, Rivers United took the lead at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.
Taofeek Otaniyi capitalised on a defensive blunder by Heartland to put the home team ahead thanks to a cross from Okon Aniekeme.
But shortly before the break, Christian Molokwu of Heartland answered, heading in from Chijioke Opara’s long throw following a costly mistake by the Rivers United custodian.
Both sides had opportunities in the second half, but in the 68th minute, Rivers United took the lead once more. Kabiru Abdullahi’s effort beat the custodian for Heartland and struck the back of the net at the near post.
With a fantastic free kick deep into stoppage time, Abdullahi scored once more to give Rivers United a two-goal lead and their first victory of the year.
With the win, Rivers United moves up to four points and, pending more outcomes later in the weekend, to the top of the NPFL standings.
Heartland, on the other hand, has lost its opening two games of the season and is still bottom of the standings.
Amunike is keen to get his Owerri-based team back to winning ways after they were demoted the previous season and were only allowed to rejoin the NPFL by administrative decree.