Abia Warriors secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Kwara United under the guidance of their interim coach, Bethel Orji. This win comes after the recent suspension of their head coach, Erasmus Onuh, due to a run of poor form.
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Speaking to the press after the game, Coach Orji expressed his elation at the result. “I feel elated, I thank God for the victory today, and I thank the players also because they came out to play,” he said. This victory marked his first game in charge, making it a significant milestone in his coaching career with Abia Warriors.
The match saw a noticeable shift in the team’s performance in the second half. When asked about the change in tactics, Coach Orji explained, “We have been training here, but yesterday, they made some changes to the pitch, they added more sand, and you know fatigue sets in quickly when you’re running on the sand synthetic. So I believe by the second half they mastered the pitch. That’s why we were able to move faster.”
One of the highlights of the match was a spectacular goal, often referred to as a ‘television goal’, scored by one of the Abia Warriors players. The player, after scoring, rushed to celebrate with Coach Orji. Reflecting on this moment, the coach said, “Well, that is football for you. In football you express yourself. I believe he was excited to start the game, and he ended it, that’s why when he scored the goal he came to celebrate with me.”
Despite the victory, Coach Orji acknowledged that the team faced challenges in converting their chances into goals. When asked about this issue, he said, “We will go back to the drawing board because gradually we will try to strategize our new pattern of play.” This statement suggests that the coach is keen on improving the team’s attacking efficiency.
This victory under interim coach Bethel Orji has brought a ray of hope to Abia Warriors amidst a challenging season. As the team prepares for their upcoming matches, they will be looking to build on this momentum and improve their standing in the NPFL.
