A heavy 23-8 defeat suffered by Raptors against LA Knights at the start of action in the play-offs of this year’s Flag Football Showtime Summer Series may not be damaging enough to stop them from winning the title.
This is the bold verdict of Raptors’ receiver, Titilayo Abanikanda, who told Sports247 that she and her teammates learnt a big lesson from Sunday’s loss and they are now filled with renewed confidence to win the competition sanctioned by Nigeria Flag Football Federation (NFFF).
She blamed Sunday’s heavy loss on some lapses in the defence line and faulted the squad’s attackers for their inability to boldly take on LA Knights.
Abanikanda added, “We played a great game, but we just need to put in more effort, and we’ll do better. All the same, I feel good, knowing we played against one of the best teams.
“Our defence tried, but I can’t say exactly what went wrong. I don’t have anything to say, to be honest.”
She then turned attention on the next game and posited that Raptors will step up their efforts, considering that they have been taught a lesson about picking points in the competition that has the full backing of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).
“We’re just going to put in more effort from the offensive side. Our defence really did great and kept them on their toes … but it wasn’t enough.
“So, we just have to come back stronger and harder. We have the confidence, and we’ve learnt a lesson already.
“I don’t see them winning it. So, we just have to win it. See you guys in the championship game,” Abanikanda declared with optimism.
