In a post-match interview following Abia Warriors’ 2-0 defeat to Heartland FC in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Coach Bethel Oji shared his insights on the match and his team’s performance.
“Well, the game is not that bad. Only that my boys lost concentration in the first half. And we paid dearly for it. Because after the first half I know we came back strongly. Only that we missed chances,” Oji said, reflecting on the team’s performance.
The coach pointed out that his team struggled with marking, especially during set pieces such as corner kicks, free kicks, and throw-ins. “That’s where they flutter. And you see how the goal came from the corner kick, then the other one from a throw,” he added.
Oji also noted a lack of intensity from his players as a contributing factor to the defeat. “Of course the boys didn’t play to instruction. We know in the second half they took the instruction by not allowing them space. But in the first half when we get the ball, they will get it back from us. They relax so much,” he explained.
Despite the setback, Coach Oji remains optimistic about the team’s upcoming match against Sunshine. “We have to make the correct decisions. We have to change our game pattern and know what we will do to forge ahead,” he said, indicating a potential shift in strategy for the next game.
The loss to Heartland FC serves as a learning experience for Abia Warriors as they prepare for their next NPFL encounter. With Coach Oji’s insights and the team’s determination to improve, fans can look forward to a spirited performance in their upcoming match against Sunshine.
