Sunshine Stars’ Stephen Eze (left) and Mohammed Chaona (right) bracket Bright Onyekachi of F.C IfeanyiUbah during a recent NPFL game. The Owena Waves stunned ABS 4-2 in Ilorin… PHOTO: LMC.
Coach of Sunshine Stars Football Club, Duke Udi, has predicted a 50/50 chance against El-Kanemi Warriors Football Club of Maiduguri, in today’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match.
The Akure-based team will host the Maiduguri boys at the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, their temporary home after being sanctioned by League Management Company over their fans’ misconduct.
Speaking to The Guardian, yesterday, Udi said the players have resolved not to make the same mistake that cost them three points against Nasarawa United in their last home game fixture.
“We want to win every of our home game just as every coach wants. The players themselves know what it means to win tomorrow’s game; I do not need to tell them. They are professionals and they know exactly they should do since they know our current position after we lost to Nasarawa United.
“The players felt sad after our loss because they know what was at stake. They have to win this time around in order to leave the relegation waters by God’s grace. I hear people say El-Kanemi will be a walkover, but I do not think so, when you consider they are in fifth position, while we are 15th on the log,” he said.
The former Osun United coach, who has recorded two away wins in the topflight league after replacing Coach Augustine Eguavoen, said the defeat of Rivers United in Port Harcourt has given the players the impetus to work hard in order to record victory against their opponent from Borno State.
“It is important we get out of where we are now, though football does not boil down to adding one to one in order to get two. But we are definitely going to work hard to get the three points at stake by God’s grace. This is what the boys have suddenly realised after we beat Rivers United in an away fixture. Though it is not every time that that happens in the NPFL.
“Aside from the little things that we have put in place like training hard, dedication and discipline are also what the players have imbibed. I want to give kudos to the management of the club for this our new found form. Motivation has been key and this is what one needs to be spurred for success,” he stated.
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