Kwara United vs Rivers United clash delivered an unexpected end in NPFL Matchday 37 as the Harmony Boys put on a commanding display to defeat their visitors 3–1 at the Main Bowl of the Rashidi Yekini Stadium in Ilorin.

The result not only showed Kwara United’s attacking brilliance but also left Rivers United’s head coach Finidi George praising the hosts while lamenting his team’s sloppy start, Footballrover reports.

The Harmony Boys came out strong, dominating from kickoff, and their pressure was rewarded in the 39th minute when Issa Gatta opened the scoring, finishing off a brilliant pass from Akanni Akeem to give the hosts a 1–0 lead at halftime.

Kwara United vs Rivers United: second-half brilliance seals it

The encounter between both sides continued with even more fire in the second half.

In the 59th minute, Wasiu Alalade doubled the advantage with a clinical finish after latching onto a precise cross from Junior Aimufua.

Mohammed Alao, introduced in place of Akanni Akeem, added fluidity in midfield, and his creativity paid off when Alalade netted his second of the day in the 81st minute.

Rivers United managed to pull one back from the penalty spot after Kabir Mohammed was penalised for impeding a goal-bound play, but it was too little, too late.

Former Super Eagles Coach Finidi George reacts to stinging loss

The loss was Rivers United‘s heaviest in the NPFL this season, and Finidi did not hold back in his post-match comments.

“It was unfortunate that we conceded three goals. It’s a match where I felt a draw would have been a good result, but they (Kwara) created their chances and got those goals, and it was difficult for us to come back.

We got a clear penalty, which we took, but looking at other results (in the league), it’s not that bad; we are still in a good place; we have our last home match. If we win or draw, we’ll get that second place.”

On whether a lack of urgency cost them the match, the ex-Super Eagles coach said:

“That’s football sometimes; when you expect to play without intensity. Today, the intensity was not there in the first 25 minutes; at that point, we had two chances but couldn’t score. You know when you are creating chances and you’re missing them, it will push the morale. I think that was what happened – a little bit sloppy.”

Assessing the performance of the opposition, Finidi added:

“I think they had a better first half; I thought they would have scored; it didn’t happen. But the goals they scored in the second half, we should have defended better,” he said.

The coach added that,

“Overall, they did well, but I think we are better at defending than this. The whole season, we’ve not conceded three goals. To come here and concede three goals – for me, it’s not my wish; I don’t like it.”

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Last Updated on May 12, 2025 1:51 pm by Sir Kris