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Rivers United technical adviser, Finidi George, has described his team’s away victory over Plateau United as an important one for his team.

The Pride of Rivers moved to second position in the league table with 30 points from 15 matches after a 2-1 win over Plateau United in Jos.

Finidi commended his players for playing with determination in the game.

“It’s an important win,” Finidi told Rivers United media after the game.

“I felt in the first half we struggled a little bit. Coming in the second half, we pushed a little more, pressed a bit higher, forced them to kick the long balls and look for the second ball which gave an edge. While we won the second balls we had the whole field to operate.”

Rivers United will battle with Wikki Tourists in their next league encounter on Sunday.

NPFL: Rivers United coach Finidi thumbs up win over Plateau United

Fulham head coach Marco Silva has expressed frustration following the imminent departure of Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze for the Africa Cup of Nations.

The trio were named in Nigeria’s squad for the competition by head coach, Eric Chelle on Thursday.

Iwobi, Chukwueze, and Bassey would be away for around one month should the Super Eagles make it to the final of AFCON 2025.

The biennial competition will run from Sunday, 21 December, 2025 to Sunday, 18 January, 2026.

The three players have been exceptional for Fulham this season.

Silva believed they would be greatly missed during their absence.

“We are talking about three starting XI players. We know Alex is a key player in any position he plays. The importance of Calvin, and what Chukwueze has been doing in recent games. You have to find solutions. If you know any other way to handle it [AFCON], let me know.”

AFCON 2025: Fulham boss laments Super Eagles’ trio departure

Everton head coach David Moyes says the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, must be respected by European clubs.

The scheduling of the tournament has constantly caused friction between European clubs and participating countries.

The two parties are always at loggerheads over the release of players for the biennial competition.

FIFA recently ruled that clubs should release players just one week before the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The directive was contrary to the earlier mandatory two weeks release date for players.

Moyes, who will be without two key players, Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye, during the tournament, however said players must not be stopped from participating.

“We have to respect completely the Africa Cup of Nations,” Moyes told a press conference on Friday.

“The players will go to play in the tournament for their countries, and rightly so. It’s a great thing they get selected for their countries, and we hope they do well.”

We have to respect AFCON — Everton boss Moyes

Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, held showdown talks with Mohamed Salah on Friday morning, according to Daily Mail.

Slot dropped Salah for their trip to Inter Milan in the Champions League in midweek.

It came after the Egyptian winger granted an explosive interview, taking a dig at the club’s hierarchy last Saturday.

Salah claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” and had “no relationship” with Slot.

The Egyptian’s outburst had led to speculations that this weekend’s league fixture with Brighton will be his last for the club.

Slot said: “I will have a conversation with Mo this morning and the outcome of that conversation determines how it will look tomorrow.

“I have no reasons not wanting him to stay, if that is a little bit of an answer.”

EPL: Salah in showdown talks with Slot over Liverpool future