Kwara United would be representing Nigeria in the CAF Confederations Cup in a few weeks’ time after finishing fourth in the last NPFL season as the Aiteo Cup wasn’t concluded yet though that did not come easy.
Having a change of coaching personnel as the team’s performance began to drop was needed and joining the team was Coach Lukman to help improve their performance.
“I would not say we are fully ready but we’re trying to build up the team, see who we can pair for continental games just like the game today, most of the players have not played for us at all but we just want to see how we can merge them with those who have been playing our previous preseason games,” Lukman told Sports247 after a 2-0 preseason friendly win over Tradesafe FC.
“Sincerely I wasn’t expecting this kind of performance. I thought we would play and win convincingly until the game started, they grew into it and started showing flashes of brilliance. They are a very good side and with time they will get there,” he added.
The coach took time to express himself about the team’s qualification for the continental competition and his feeling when he took Uber the job.
“I was on top of the world (when we were announced to play on the continent). I took over the team when they were in the sixth position with the help of my instructor coach Azeez who guides and gives me tips and it was as if I was coaching Real Madrid, having sleepless night and all,” Lukman said.
“I felt if I couldn’t get them to move up on the table, then I mustn’t let the team go below where I took over but fortunately we finished fourth with the help of the technical crew, backroom staff, and all around me and I’m grateful for the opportunity and believe I would be able to do something in the next season,” he concluded.
