The coach of Gateway United of Ogun State, Samson Omiponle has described his side’s 2-1 spanking of Inter Lagos as a ‘fantastic perfirmance’ by his players.
Though they had to come from a goal down during Wednesday’s match, before snatching victory at MKO Abiola Stadium in The Rock City, Omiponle said his players deserved the maximum points because they played with sheer determination.
The win shot Gateway United up from fifth position on the Nigerian National League (NNL) log to just a point behind joint-first placed Inter Lagos, and Omiponle is predicting an even higher ascent for his team.
He confessed that he never thought they would be able to play so well, considering that they had been on standby for almost three weeks, which made Wednesday’s victory more exciting for him.
Omiponle beamed with delight, saying: “It was a very fantastic game. The boys came out with high spirits and determination.
“In fact, I did not expect the way they played because, for the past two and half weeks, we’ve been on standby. We stopped playing competitive games since then.”
The ebullient gaffer then disclosed that they will now turn their attention on their next NNL fixture, which is away to One Rocket FC of Eket, in Akwa Ibom State.
He enthused that it would be another opportunity for his side to lay a strong claim for the top spot in the Nigerian second-tier league.
“It’s very sure that we are going to make it. On Sunday, we are going to play One Rocket in Uyo, and we are going for victory.
“They came here to Abeokuta and stole our three points. Now we are going there and, definitely, we can get our three points back, by the grace of God.
“No cause for alarm. Our victory against Inter Lagos is our motivation,” Omiponle retorted with a strong tone of optimism.
