2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 24: Tale of opposing coaches, as Finidi, Eguma, sets for face-off against former club

Posted : 15 February 2025

It will be a tale of two opposing coaches in a blockbuster 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 24 fixture, as Finidi George and Stanley Eguma face their former employers, Enyimba International FC and Rivers United FC, respectively.

For Stanley Eguma, it will be an emotional reunion with the club he won the league with in 2022, Rivers United FC, after many years.

Eguma's time with the Pride of Rivers remains a standing record as the longest managerial tenure in the history of the Nigerian league, spanning 16 years.

Eguma joined Dolphins (which later merged with Sharks to become Rivers United) in 2008 and was the head coach of Rivers United from 2016 until his contract was terminated on June 1, 2025.

Eguma now has the opportunity to face his former team for the first time since he was appointed as the coach of the nine-time champions, Enyimba International FC.

For former Super Eagles international Finidi George, this will be an opportunity to face his former club, with whom he won the league just last season.

Finidi's journey with the People’s Elephant was a successful one before he was appointed as the head coach of the Super Eagles. However, he resigned due to unfavorable conditions and results.

The soft-spoken coach, however, chose not to return to his former club, as they had already moved on with his former assistant, Olanrewaju, who was later sacked to make way for Eguma.

The NPFL Match Day 24 fixture is expected to be a battle with significant implications for the top-three race.

Enyimba, buoyed by a strong home record, are pushing to keep their continental hopes alive, while Rivers United, currently in the top three, aim to solidify their continental credentials.

However, the People’s Elephant have struggled recently, winning only one of their last eight matches across all competitions, including back-to-back NPFL defeats.

A win for Enyimba would help restore confidence and silence critics, while Rivers United aim to avoid another defeat and keep their title aspirations alive.

The good news for Enyimba, however, is the return of former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye, who has just recovered from injury and is now expected to feature against Rivers United.

The 36-year-old striker has missed his team’s last three games due to injury.

He has scored one goal since his return to the NPFL after 18 years.

Interestingly, Ideye could now be aiming to stop Rivers United, the club he was initially set to join upon his return to the domestic league.

With both sides known for their attacking prowess, this fixture promises fireworks and could be pivotal in determining who stays in the title race.

Head-to-Head
Since 2023, Enyimba International and Rivers United have faced each other three times, with Enyimba winning once and no matches ending in a draw.

Rivers United vs. Enyimba International (29.09.2024) 2:0
Enyimba International vs. Rivers United (02.06.2024) 4:1
Rivers United vs. Enyimba International (30.01.2024) 2:0

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 24: Tale of opposing coaches, as Finidi, Eguma, sets for face-off against former club

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