In a post-match reflection, Coach Daniel Ogunmodede expressed his dismay following his team’s 3-1 defeat to Heartland FC in yesterday’s NPFL fixture.
Ogunmodede spared no words in describing the encounter as the most woeful game of the season for his team, attributing their struggles to the deplorable state of the pitch, which he deemed the worst in the league.
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The coach lamented the impracticality of playing football on such a substandard surface, asserting that the players found themselves running aimlessly for the entire 90 minutes, unable to maintain possession of the ball.
Ogunmodede went on to suggest that an athletic competition might have been more fitting for the conditions they encountered.
When questioned about the late-game collapse that led to their defeat, Ogunmodede pointed to a loss of concentration and physical fatigue.
He acknowledged the difficulty of sustaining a defensive effort from the first minute to the last, emphasizing that the team’s strategy was compromised due to the nature of the pitch.
In his assessment, they were coerced into playing a style of football unsuitable for their strengths, succumbing to Heartland FC’s tactics on their home turf.
As the match progressed, Ogunmodede explained, the team faced challenges in defending against aerial balls, ultimately conceding goals in the dying moments.
Despite their efforts to stick to their defensive game plan, the unfavorable conditions and the opponent’s home advantage proved insurmountable.
The defeat serves as a stark reminder of the impact playing conditions can have on a team’s performance, prompting calls for a closer examination of pitch quality in the NPFL to ensure a fair and competitive environment for all teams.
