Rivers United’s head coach and technical manager, Finidi George, has heaped praise on the club’s young left‑back, Ochobi Elias, after their hard‑fought 1–0 win over Niger Tornadoes in a rescheduled NPFL fixture on Wednesday.
Elias played the full 90 minutes at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, helping his side keep a clean sheet in the crucial victory. Finidi admitted that giving Elias a full game was a bold call, considering the defender had only been used in cameo roles earlier this season.
But the coach explained his confidence in the youngster:
“Today, he nearly got a goal in the last minute. He opted to square the ball looking for a teammate instead, but that shows the attacking intent. I’m very happy with his performance. We’ll keep pushing him to improve.”
Ochobi Elias is no stranger to big moments within the Rivers United setup. He was part of the youth team that clinched the NPFL Youth League title in 2024, and since then has been promoted into the senior ranks under Finidi’s stewardship.
Looking ahead, he is expected to be included in the squad when Rivers travel to Aba this Sunday to take on Enyimba. Stay updated with the latest in sports at www.hotsportsscoops.com — First with the fresh scoops.