Finidi also reflected on the tactical adjustments made during the game, admitting that his team dropped too deep in the final minutes after scoring. However, he stressed that the approach would change significantly in the second leg. “In Nigeria, it is going to be a different ball game. We are going to approach the game differently,” he added. He believes the experience gained from this match will help Rivers United better understand San Pedro’s playing style and exploit their weaknesses.
The former Super Eagles head coach praised San Pedro’s youthful energy and technical quality, calling them a dangerous opponent. Yet, he remains confident that the home advantage in the return fixture will tip the scales in Rivers United’s favor. “We tried to see what they were doing and assess their capacity. Like I said, the game was balanced. But we knew they were a very good team, a young team full of energy, so we knew it was going to be a difficult game,” Finidi explained. He predicted a 60-40 advantage for his side in the second leg.
With the first leg concluded, Rivers United now turns its focus to securing a victory at home to advance to the next stage of the CAF Champions League. The return match promises to be a crucial test of character and strategy for both teams, with the Nigerian club aiming to build on this hard-earned draw and book their place in the competition’s next round.
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