John Uzor, a handball coach with over 15 years of experience and the former Nigeria national under-20 handball coach, currently the technical adviser of the Delta Force team in the Ardova Handball Premier League, Phase II.
He shared insights on the team’s performance and strategic planning aimed at avoiding relegation after the team won their match against COAS babes on Thursday.
Uzor explained to Sports247, “Our main idea in this league is to remain in the league. After reviewing the first phase matches, we identified our deficiencies and created a plan using the SWOT format, looking at our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.”
He continued, “We concluded that winning five matches would help us retain our position in the league. We’ve won four in the second phase and one in the first, needing just one more win.”
To address the team’s physical disadvantages, Uzor implemented a strong mobile defense strategy. “We noticed our players were lighter compared to others. Our plan was to push our opponents out rather than letting them push us in.
The best form of defense is attack, so we focus on attacking while defending,” he stated. This strategy has been crucial in their recent successes.
The team faces two more matches, against Plateau Peacocks and Civil Defence. Uzo emphasized the importance of revisiting match performances to identify and correct mistakes. “We analyze every position and mistake.
For instance, after losing by one goal on Wednesday, we had a meeting to discuss what went wrong and how to improve. By implementing these adjustments, we came back stronger and won today’s match,” he shared.
Uzor highlighted the need for proper camping and better resources. “We require continuous supervision, proper nutrition, and structured programs to maintain fitness throughout the year.
Last season, we lost key players to other teams and abroad, which impacted our performance. Proper camping and financial support are essential for replacing these players and improving the team’s overall standing,” he explained.
He also discussed the necessity of balancing experienced and youthful players. “For impactful performance, we need a blend of experienced and youthful players.
Unfortunately, financial constraints forced us to recall some coaches and players, affecting our competitiveness,” Uzor noted.
As Delta Force prepares for their final matches, the team’s strategy and determination to stay in the league remain strong, with hopes of overcoming challenges and securing a better position in the Ardova Handball Premier League.
