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NPFL 2020/21: We Had To Keep Our Heads High Despite The Red Card- Amapakabo Admits After Oriental Derby Win

Following his team’s 1-0 victory over Enugu Rangers in Aba in the NPFL match Week 10, Coach of Abia Warriors, Imama Amapakabo has commended the efforts of his players for keeping their heads high and holding on for the win, despite being a man down.

Abia Warriors on Monday defeated Enugu Rangers 1-0 in Aba, with Samson scoring the only goal of the game for the home side in the 23rd minute, despite Wotlia receiving his marching orders for Imama Amapakabo’s side in the 58th minute of the encounter.

Reacting with Sports247 after his team’s victory, Imama hailed the efforts of his players for keeping their heads high and holding onto their lead, despite being a man down in a game which he regarded as a tactical one, most especially against a strong team like Salisu Yusuf’s side.

“I knew that this game was going to be a very tactical game, especially against Rangers. But kudos to the boys (Abia Warriors’ players), they were able to keep their shape and win the game”.

“It was a long stretch, most especially after the red card, we had to reorganize, the players had to keep their heads high tactically. I really commend their efforts, because they remained in the game and never allowed Rangers back in the game”.

While still speaking with Sports 247, Amapakabo also admitted that the red card changed the dynamics of the game, as he had to change the tactical approach of the game with his substitutions.

“When the red card came, I had to look at my bench and the personnel I had, and it changed our tactical approach completely. I wanted to string some other changes, but the red card changed the dynamics of the substitution I had in mind”, he stated.

The Win for Abia Warriors now moves them to 17th on the Log with 9 points from 10 games played so far, while Enugu Rangers remained in 5th position, after NPFL Match week 10.