Rivers United head coach Finidi George believes his team can begin the new season on a positive note when they lock horns with defending champions Remo Stars in the opening round of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) campaign.
The Pride of Port Harcourt will travel to Abeokuta, where the Sky Blue Stars are temporarily hosting matches at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena.
Although Remo Stars celebrated their first-ever NPFL crown last season, Rivers United still hold reason for optimism. In the last campaign, they managed to take four points from Daniel Ogunmodede’s side. They surely proved they can trouble the champions even at their best. Therefore, Finidi’s men will be motivated by both history and experience as they chase another strong start.
A rivalry steeped in opening-day drama
Interestingly, these two sides are no strangers to meeting on opening day. Rivers United have twice faced Remo Stars in season openers and, on both occasions, secured victories on home soil. In 2019, they edged out a narrow 1-0 win, while in the 2023/24 season, they triumphed 2-0 in front of their fans. Consequently, the Port Harcourt giants will aim to extend this record even though this year’s fixture takes them away from home.
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For Finidi George’s side, they must exploit the fact that Remo Stars are forced to play away from their usual Ikenne base. According to him, the champions may not enjoy the same level of comfort in Abeokuta, which gives Rivers United a potential opening. Moreover, he insists his players are ready to show resilience and surprise the title holders despite the odds stacked against them.
Finidi confident but cautious
Speaking ahead of the clash, Finidi admitted that the task will not be easy. Yet, he stressed that the team’s preparation and determination could tilt the balance.
“We’re playing the reigning champions, and so it will be a tough one,” he noted.
“But since they are playing away from their home ground, we will try to capitalise on that and see how we can deliver a surprise victory.”
Tags: Finidi George, Rivers United, #NPFL26, Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, Remo Stars, Daniel Ogunmodede.
