Green Backs came agonizingly close to pulling off an upset on the opening day of Showtime Season XIII, but a sluggish start proved costly as they fell 27-25 to Ikan Sports in a fiercely contested battle at the Showtime Sports Arena, Lekki, on Sunday.
Speaking after the game, Green Backs’ Jefferson Ibinabo admitted his disappointment with the result, stressing that his side’s early mistakes left them chasing the game from the onset.
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“I feel bad because I knew that we could have done much better,” Ibinabo told Sports247.
“We have to work on our starts because there were too many false starts. But we’ll get back in practice, do better, and come back stronger in the next game.”
Despite trailing for much of the contest, Green Backs rallied impressively in the closing stages, pushing Ikan Sports all the way before narrowly falling short.
Ibinabo credited his teammates’ resilience for the late fightback, while also highlighting areas that need improvement ahead of their next fixture.
Beyond his team’s performance, the national team player reflected on his personal journey in Flag football.
Looking ahead, Ibinabo shared his aspirations of playing at a higher level and using his platform to give back
“Growing up, I’ve always loved the sport. My dream is to make it to college, play the sport at the top level, and then come back to help the community and inspire others.”
Green Backs will aim to shake off their slow start when they return to action as Showtime Season XIII continues.
