Daniel Ogunmodede insists his Remo Stars rookies didn’t deserve missing out of the final following the 7-6 loss on penalties to debutants Gombe United in the semi-final that was decided at the Kwara Sports Complex, Ilorin on Wednesday.
It was another semi-final heartbreak for the Sky Blues Stars who qualified to the last four unbeaten in Group B, ahead of top-rated teams like Kwara United and defending champions Niger Tornadoes.
Yusuf Ibrahim will rue his penalty miss in the shoot out but for Ogunmodede, there was an issue about the spot-kicks as it was down to lock.
“No we didn’t lose to a better opponent, we were just unlucky against Gombe United but they’re not a bad side.
“The Gombe United goalie was for me lucky to have saved Ibrahim’s kick as he guessed right.
“I didn’t think we got our tactics wrong, in fact, the game against Gombe United was our best so far in the tourney and some of the new players did prove themselves in the games we played against the top teams.
“Though we were hopeful we could qualify to the final but that’s not to be today, however, we take the positive from the tourney.
“Sad we didn’t score from open play as we kept to our game plan. A goal from my team would have changed the dynamics of the game.”
