Enyimba FC coach, Yemi Olarenwaju, addressed the media following his team’s 2-0 defeat against Rivers United in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Olarenwaju took responsibility for the loss, expressing disappointment in the defensive lapses that led to the goals.
“We are the ones that let ourselves down because they did not create any clear-cut chances, and we were careless to concede those two goals,” Olarenwaju stated, highlighting his frustration with the defensive errors that allowed Rivers United to capitalize.
He particularly criticized the team’s failure to close down the opponent, leading to a powerful shot for the second goal.
While acknowledging Rivers United’s performance, Olarenwaju refrained from complaining excessively and congratulated the opposing team.
He emphasized the importance of taking chances in football, noting that Enyimba had better opportunities to score but failed to capitalize.
Expressing a sense of unluckiness, Olarenwaju mentioned hitting the crossbar twice but refrained from openly criticizing his players.
He recognized the need for improvement in scoring, especially as Enyimba creates chances consistently.
Despite the loss, the coach remained optimistic, stating, “The most important thing is that we are creating the chances, and hopefully, we work on it when we go home so we can get enough goals.”
Discussing the team’s injury challenges, Olarenwaju disclosed that Enyimba has nine players currently sidelined due to injuries, with several recovering from back injuries.
He emphasized the importance of managing the players strategically, considering the away game conditions and the upcoming home match on Sunday.
Olarenwaju defended the decision to manage player rotations, stating that the team is in progress. While acknowledging the execution of the game plan, he believed that the chances created reflected positively on the team’s overall performance.
The coach’s remarks shed light on Enyimba’s challenges and the commitment to addressing areas for improvement in future matches
