Finidi George appends his signature to signify his acceptance of the job.
It was a fanfare at Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital Thursday 4th July, 2024, when the former Coach of Super Eagles, Coach Finidi George was unveiled as the technical direction of Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt.
Addressing the mammount crowd that graced the event, Hon. Christopher Green Esq. Rivers State Commissioner for Sports said “Because we are been governed by the best governor in Nigeria, in the person of His Excellency, Sir, Amaopu Senibo, Joesph Siminilaye Fubara, DSSRS, and so the best must come to Rivers State, Finidi George is a serial winner. He has not only won domestically, he also won internationally. He belongs to the greatest of them in football in Nigeria that brought home the cup of Nation in 1994.”
The former chairman of technical committee of NFF enjoined the new technical direction to be deligent in his duties, expressed the optimism that Finidi George has his target for the team.
“For us in Rivers State, we are not giving you a target, because you have target yourself. You know the target you want. And I know the target you want is to win laurels for Rivers state. And it’s an open ticket to our own Finidi George to get to us the best players and win the league and the F A cup, which is our desire. We have not challenged you because you know your target and we know you are a serial winner”. The Commission for sports stressed.
Emphasizing the management’s plans for the club in the upcoming season, Barrister Chris Green gave mandate to supporters and stakeholders of the club to source for the best players for the club next season.
“The best must come to Rivers United FC. If you know the best player, the best striker, the best midfielder, the best defender, the best goalkeeper that money can buy in Nigeria bring him, I will sign the person on”.
He however warmed that the management will maintain high level of discipline; will not tolerate sabotage.
“This time discipline must be our watch word. If you’re not ready to work we will show you the way out. We are not going to take to any sabotage of any type coming from any quarters”.
Responding to questions from sports Journalists while appending his signature for the two year contract, Coach Finidi George said “Am very happy to be here, this is where I grew up and started my football carrier. I left this place as a footballer and back as a Coach. As Coach there are chapter you have to close and new ones has to emerge. Rivers United FC is a very big team, and seen their result last season inspired me to come back here as a Port Harcourt boy; come back and impact a little bit. It’s an opportunity for me to give back”.
Coach Finidi George gave the confidence that he is equal to the task; stressing that he will deliver as expected and place the team back on track.
“My target is winning and we will try
We all wants the result, but we have to work towards it. The target set is for Rivers United to perform and at least get the continental ticket this season. It’s a difficult task but we will try our best to achieve that. The aim here is the team should get back on track, let them play good football and win games. Result is needed, there is hunger for results, but we must exercise patient. There are few changes the team is doing, am new definitely we will get it right. All hands on deck hopefully we we take Rivers United FC where they belong” Coach Finidi George posited.
He averred further that he is Port Harcourt for a mission not for fun. “Am not here for fun; we all know Port Harcourt, it’s the Garden City it’s a nice place, but am here for a purpose, am here to work. That is why I decided to take this challenge to come. Rivers United a very big team”.
Speaking on behalf of the club management, the General manager, Chief, Dr. Okay Kpalukwu said “the management of Rivers United FC with the supervision of Rivers State Ministry of Sports saw there is need for us to do something to see how we can do the best, give you the best and make all of us proud people as we use to be in the national league and in the continent of Africa.
He continued “Today is a very joyous day for us, in the sense that the just concluded season was difficult for us, as you all see. We are happy to tell you we are trying to take corrections. And we are trying to do our best to make our Rivers people to be proud at all times, that is the reason why he is here today and the reason why we are doing what we are doing today. In the last season we finished eight position. We were in the continent very smooth, though finished at the quarter finals stage; but that was not where all of expected of us, and I am sure you weren’t expecting us to finish eight position”. Chief Kpalukwu lamented.
