Rivers United coach Finidi George is eagerly anticipating a challenging test as he prepares to face off against his former club, Enyimba, in what is set to be one of the most highly anticipated matches of the 2024-2025 Nigeria Premier Football League season at 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 29.
The stakes are high as Finidi George will be pitted against his former assistant coach, Yemi Olanrewaju, in a contest that has been dubbed a battle between master and apprentice.
Rivers United and Enyimba have displayed formidable form, remaining undefeated so far this season.
Finidi George is well aware of the daunting task that lies ahead, acknowledging that the upcoming home match against Enyimba will be no easy feat.
“We are playing against Enyimba; it’s going to be a difficult game, but I’ve always said we will take our game one at a time,” he said.
Note that Finidi personally selected Olanrewaju as his assistant during his tenure as Enyimba’s coach in September 2022. Together, they steered the Aba giants to their ninth Nigeria Premier League title in 2023.
Finidi’s departure from his role at Enyimba came when he took over the challenging Super Eagles job in April. In his absence, Olanrewaju stepped up as the interim head coach and was later confirmed as the permanent head coach of the team in August.
Rivers United, under Finidi’s guidance, have amassed seven points in their first three games, with an impressive four points earned on the road.
Meanwhile, Olanrewaju has led Enyimba to two league victories in as many matches, including a notable away win over Heartland. Also, Olanrewaju successfully guided the team to the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup in their most recent outing.