It’s going to be a clash of former Super Eagles players on the bench as Rivers United hosts Heartland in the Nigeria Football League, NPFL Matchday 2 on Saturday, Sports247 reports.
The attention will be on Finidi George and Emmanuel Amuneke in the dugout of the opposite two teams as both showcase their superior acumen.
Four months ago, Finidi George beat Amuneke to the Super Eagles job as against popular opinion when both were jostling for the job.
The match which is scheduled to take place at the Adokie Amasiemaka Stadium on Saturday at 3 pm to set off the Weekend games of the 2024/2025 NPFL Matchday two.
Rivers United picked a valuable point away on the road against Bendel Insurance despite finishing the game with Amuneke had a bad start in the season opener after leading Heartland to a rude 3-1 bashing in the hands of Enyimba.
This sets up a dog fight for the three points at stake as both teams needed a response after their matchday one matches, amidst the subtle pride and ego between the two coaches and their supporters.
Meanwhile, Finidi George has dispelled any form of rivalry between him and Amuneke and rules out any extra pressure to prove a point.
Finidi speaks ahead of the game: “He is a colleague; he is a friend of mine, and there is nothing special about us being on the bench. We will just do our jobs. No extra pressure on my own part, and I hope that will be the same on his part too”.
However, the former Super Eagles coach says his team will go all about for the three points irrespective.
“They lost at home, so I think they will come here like wounded lions, but we at home will be focused on getting the maximum three points. It’s going to be a difficult game, but at the end of the day we want to win, and they will also want to get something out of it,” Finidi assessed.
Meanwhile it’s going to be a battle of the stars in Ikenne as Sunshine Stars visits Remo Stars in the first South West derby of the season.
Both teams will be looking to consolidate their opening day victories , a win for either side will shoot to the top of the table while we wait for the results of Sunday’s matches.
Both matches will be will be televised live on StarTimes (the official league broadcast partner) via Beta Sports Channel 244.
The Rivers United Vs Heartland FC game will start at 3 pm, which will be followed by Remo Stars and Sunshine Stars by 5 :30 pm.
The rest of the weekend’s fixtures which are scheduled for Sunday, 15 September 2024.
Akwa United Vs Abia Warriors
Bayelsa United Vs Kano Pillars
Niger Tornadoes Vs Nasarawa United
3SC Vs Plateau United
Katsina Vs Bendel Insurance
