The head coach of Abia Warriors, Imama Amapakabo admitted his side fell below expectations despite securing a crucial win, citing poor transitions and missed chances as key concerns.
Amapakabo addressing the press after the game expressed dissatisfaction over the manner in which his boys approached the game
“I think we were poor, especially in transition in attack. We were not covering enough gaps, so we left a lot of gaps in between,” he said. “But we were able to still create some chances.”
He, however, pointed to a familiar problem that has affected his team throughout the season.
“Our biggest problem this season, conversion of those chances, so, good one that we were able to take these points.”
Imama also hinted that the pressure to make the game count may have also played a role in his boys’ performance.
“I don’t know if it’s the pressure of the games and the results yesterday that got to the team because we knew that if we forget the result today, we’re going to be back into the chasing pack. But whatever it is, we didn’t show this kind of character that I think we are capable of showing.”
Read Also: NPFL: Okara Laments Wastefulness in Loss to Abia Warriors
Despite the performance, the result proved significant, with his side the only team in the top six to secure victory this week.
“We knew we needed to get a victory today to put us back in contention,” he said. “And the league is still very open now. No team amongst the first six teams can say we’ve comfortably won the league.”
On the tactical changes in the second half, he revealed that composure made the difference.
“We were too much in a haste to give away the ball,” he explained. “We had to tell them, look, let us circulate the ball… we calmed down, we circulated the ball, we created the chances.”
He attributed the earlier struggles to urgency from the players, while maintaining that it is the duty of his striker to score goals for the team, being his purpose of being brought in.
“The players really wanted to get the goals very fast, and it made them make a lot of mistakes. “But we were able to calm down a little bit in the second half and get the desired goal to give us all three points.”
“It’s his responsibility to score goals—that’s why we signed him. He’s only scored eleven goals now, I believe he should have been close to about 30 goals if he had converted all the chances.”
“We hope that he will be able to continue scoring goals till the end of the season because we need somebody who has the grace of goals,” he concluded.
Looking ahead, Imama said it is important to stay focused as the season climaxes.
“We’ve got to play Insurance this weekend. We’ll put our heads on our shoulders. Hope we’ll be able to get the results and we’ll chase it to the line,” he added.
With the win, Abia Warriors now sit fourth on the log, three points behind table toppers, Rangers International. The Umu-Chineke will next be on a journey to Benin to face Bendel Insurance in Match Day 34 of the season.
Photo Credit: Abia Warriors
Audio Credit: Fisayo Dairo