Finidi George on Monday began his managerial reign with Rivers Utd with a scoreless draw against Kwara United in one of the opening group B fixtures of the 2024 Governor Douye Diri Pre Season football tournament, Silvernews.com.ng reports.
‘Finito’, as the former Nigeria international winger is called, joined up from Enyimba after a brief spell with the senior National Team, Super Eagles.
The eight-team tournament in Yenagoa, will offer the former Ajax Amsterdam winger and UEFA Champions League winner opportunity to fine tune The Pride of Rivers ahead the coming 2024/2025 NPFL.
In the other match of group B decided same Monday, Bendel Insurance edged Krusader Selected of Yenagoa 1-0 to sit top of the group standings going into match day two fixtures on Wednesday.
In group A, Sunshine Stars of Akure are top on the table following a 1-0 win over host team, Bayelsa Utd, in the second match of the group on Monday.
Earlier In the day, Abia Warrior and Akwa Utd settled for a one-all draw.
Meanwhile, head Coach of Kwara United Football Club, Kabir Dogo, says the caliber of teams and players participating in the ongoing Douye Diri preseason Soccer Tournament gives an insight into what should be expected in the coming 2024/2025 NPFL season.
Dogo, a one time ABS Ilorin gaffer, spoke at Samson Siasia Stadium, in Yenagoa,
after his team’s goalless draw against Rivers United in the second group B tie of the tournament, Dogo described the match as a ‘significant trial for both sides’ as the new league season approaches.
“The level of competition showcased in the Douye Diri Preseason Tournament is indicative of its standard and quality, offering a preview of what the 2024/25 NPFL season holds”, Dogo said.
He went on to urge the organizers to adjust the scheduling of the tournament in future editions to accommodate the country’s representatives in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.
He further said that such would aid their preparation for their continental matchups.
Dogo equally Expressed gratitude to the Bayelsa State Government and the tournament organizers for convening and inviting NPFL teams to partake in the competition, emphasing that it serves as a platform to assess and evaluate the clubs’ readiness ahead of the league season.
The Kwara Utd gaffer affirmed that his team is committed to refining all identified areas of improvement from their trial games, maintaining their focus on building a formidable squad for the 2024/2025 NPFL season.
The tournament progresses with Kwara United facing Krusaders FC on Wednesday in the second match day of group B at 2:30 pm.
