Yusuf AbdulKadir, coach of Plateau Peacocks of Jos, shared his insights on his team’s performance in the Ardova Handball Premier League, Phase II, during an exclusive interview with Sports247.
Following their yesterday’s victory against Sokoto Rima Queens, AbdulKadir provided a detailed analysis of their journey and challenges in the competition.
The competition began on November 27th, and Plateau Peacocks currently hold the 4th position on the league table. Reflecting on their overall performance, AbdulKadir explained, “The league consists of two phases. The first phase was held in Benin in June, and now we’re in the final phase.
Points from both phases determine the league winners. We are aiming for a podium finish, and realistically, the best we can achieve is third place.”
AbdulKadir acknowledged that achieving a higher position was unlikely due to the strong performance of teams ahead of them.
“The teams in the first and second positions, Road Safety and Civil Defence, have not lost a match in the last two years. We have lost two matches in this phase, and we know that catching up is not feasible,” he said.
Discussing the challenges faced, AbdulKadir highlighted the match against Sokoto Rima Queens as particularly tough.
“They are young, dynamic, and fast, with many players in the underage national team. Their energy and agility make them formidable opponents,” he noted.
The team has experienced significant changes, losing seven key players this year. “One went to Benin Republic, four were injured after returning from Morocco, and we had to bring in younger players to rebuild the team,” Kadir explained.
This shift has contributed to their struggles, but it also offers an opportunity for growth and development.
Looking ahead, Kadir emphasized the need for a complete overhaul of the team “What we are doing right now, we have gone to grassroots. We are practically changing our team completely.
We are changing the philosophy of the team completely by next year. A lot of people will see a lot of new changes because the team will be comprised of very young, tall, talented girls who we are working at home.
We have like eight of them. We brought two just for exposure. Then we brought our under-15, like four under-15 girls to help the senior team,” he said.
Kadir praised the current efforts to promote handball in Nigeria, particularly the work of the president and his board.
“The president, Samuel Ocheho, and his team have been instrumental in organizing youth programs and securing sponsorships. Their dedication has significantly contributed to the sport’s growth,” he stated.
He also mentioned the presence of scouts from Benin Republic and other countries, indicating a thriving handball scene in Nigeria.
With two matches remaining against top teams, Plateau Peacocks are focused on finishing strong.
AbdulKadir remains optimistic about their chances and is committed to developing a stronger team for the future.
