The coach of Lugna Properties’ squad at this year’s Werblack Wines Synergy Cup competition, which is being organised by Island AllStars Club (IASC) in Lekki, Lagos, Shepherd Amaregbu has ‘begged’ other teams to give his side breathing space at the top of the table.
Coach Amaregbu made the jocular appeal during a chat with Sports247 after his side’s goalless draw with Beats Electronics on Saturday, a result that he blamed on an early red card that was shown his captain.
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Although the result kept his side top of the log with ten points, Amaregbu acknowledged that next in line, Dexel Apartments could take advantage of Team Lugna’s draw and put more heat on them.
However, Amaregbu was also quick to affirm the ability of his team to eventually win the competition and equally praised the performance of his players in Saturday’s draw, which came after three straight wins in the round-robin contest.
He eulogised, “It was a cracker, but all my players stood up to the occasion. I am happy that they rose to the occasion and I have to say that they really did well.
“At the beginning of the game, under 10 minutes, my captain got a red card. So, we had to play almost the entire match with ten men against 11, yet it still ended goalless at the final whistle.”
The excited coach then thanked God for making Saturday’s victory possible and disclosed that he had already started plotting how to win their next match, in order to keep a firm grip on top spot of the group.
“The glory has to be ascribed unto God. The statistics were tight, and we played with a man short … 10 against 11. So, to God be all the glory that we played a draw; and now I hope to win our next game.
“As it stands right now, we are set to top the table. The other teams, most especially the one that’s still in second position, should just give us breathing space,” Ephraim cajoled.
He concluded by boasting that he and all Team Lugna players are ready to take on any opposition that comes out against them, while pointing out that he will employ different tactics for each game.
Amaregbu affirmed, “I am ready to play any team, and I will always come out with different formations to ensure that our opponents do not hit the back of our net.
“Every coach must be ready with different tactics, because you can not predict what will happen as the match goes on. Anything can happen! So, you must be ready to face the challenge.
“That’s why I dedicate this draw to God, because he saw us through. I also thank my players, those sitting on the bench, all of us in the team, and even our supporters.”
