Rivers United technical adviser Finidi George says his team are better equipped for this season’s Nigeria Premier Football League campaign after making an unbeaten start.
The Port Harcourt club finished runners-up to Rangers last season but have taken 10 points from their opening four matches and sit second in the table.
Their latest result was their most emphatic, with Rivers United thrashing Kun Khalifat FC 5-0 in their Matchday 4 fixture on Thursday. The victory was their third of the campaign.
Finidi believes the squad assembled for the new season has addressed weaknesses that affected the team last term, particularly in front of goal.
“The players that we signed this season are much better than last season. I have always said the quality in the squad is much better,” Finidi told the club’s media.
Rivers United struggled to convert opportunities in their earlier matches, a problem that also contributed to their elimination from the CAF Champions League.
Finidi said the players were now beginning to show greater efficiency and challenged them to maintain the level produced against Kun Khalifat FC.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t convert the chances we created in the continent, and we were eliminated,” he said.
“I think the players are beginning to get it right. We hope they continue this way because you never know what will happen in the future.”
The former NPFL champions have now scored freely in their domestic campaign, and Finidi is confident they can sustain that improvement.
“I believe we will continue this way. I know my players can play good football, but converting chances was our problem,” he added.
“We are scoring now, and we hope to continue the same way.”
Rivers United’s next test comes away from home when they face Katsina United in a Matchday 5 encounter on Monday.
The match will be played at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, with Finidi’s side aiming to extend their unbeaten run and strengthen their position near the top of the NPFL table.