Kwara United benefitting from underdog status in Aiteo Cup
Kwara United have just won their second match to qualify for the quarter-final of the ongoing Aiteo Federation Cup. How happy are you with the performance of your team?
I am very happy with our qualification considering that we found ourselves in a very tough group. The Lagos centre comprising of Kano Pillars, Abia Warriors, Rivers United and Kwara United is indeed a group of death. So the moment we found ourselves in the group, some people concluded that we would be consumed. However, we have so far proved book makers wrong. Already we have picked the maximum points from Abia Warriors and Rivers United. As a matter of fact, we and Akwa United were the first to qualify for the quarter-finals.
We were very confident despite the fact that we knew other teams would look down on us considering the fact that we struggled in the league. However, that made us to redouble our efforts to prove them wrong. It has turned out to be a blessing in disguise because we are not playing under any pressure. Our plan is to win the maximum nine points. We have the last group match against Kano Pillars on Friday (yesterday). It is going to be a very tough match but we are ready to learn from them and still escape with victory.
You and I know that when I was appointed as the technical adviser of Kwara United, morale in the team’s camp was very low. There was disenchantment but I psyched up the players. It was important to help restore their lost confidence before going into technical matters. I had to raise their morale and make them understand that they could do better. I told the players they have the quality and ability to be better than what they were. I also tried to look into their remuneration. As we speak, Kwara United are not owed salaries and allowances. At the ongoing Aiteo Cup, our matche bonuses have been paid up to date. As you know, motivation is key to success. In addition, the players now know that in case of any injury, they won’t be abandoned. So they are ready to give everything they have for us to win. So it is basically about motivation of players. The players also want to market themselves so they are using the competition as a means to reach out to their future suitors. All these have helped in improving the fortunes of the team.
The match against Abia Warriors was the toughest. Although we scored five goals against them, it was a very difficult match. Abia Warriors are a good side. They gave us a good match. They played their own style of game and allowed us to play ours. The match was very tactical. However, if you see our match against Rivers United, it was a very physical game. They were too physical. They came hard on us trying to stop us from playing our free flowing football. They made the match to be too physical. Well, that is their style of play. I thank God that in the end, we subdued them.
We are looking at other centres but our concentration is on Gombe where we are going to get our next opponent. Gombe centre is hosting giants Enyimba, Plateau United, Katsina United and AJ Atete. Indications are strong that Plateau United and Enyimba will qualify from the group. This is not to undermine the other teams in the group.
We are ready to face any team from the centre. If we are able to top our group, then we shall play the runners up but if we come second in Lagos, we shall face the first team in Gombe centre. We are ready for either Enyimba or Plateau United. We are not strangers to one another.
Definitely, that is my dream. Last year I reached the finals with my home club, Niger Tornadoes but lost to Akwa United on penalties. My expectation is to go back to the finals and finish the job. By the grace of God, I will take Kwara to the finals and ensure they come out victorious. It won’t be an easy challenge but we shall get there.
With our level of preparation, the quality of players we have and the motivation we are getting for our management, we are ready to face any team in the finals. To be the champion, you must be ready to beat the best. However, meeting either Enyimba or Akwa United in the finals will be a daunting task. We have special regards for these two teams. They have the quality to wreck any opposition. We respect all other opponents but we are not afraid of any team.
Yeah, we are using the FA Cup to prepare for the league. Already we are looking at the players we are going to retain and those to drop. We are also looking at players we would invite to come and beef up the team. So the Aiteo Cup is an opportunity that we are using maximally.
I cannot deny that some clubs are making enquiries about me. By the grace of Allah and the unflinching support of my management, I have reasonably revived the fortunes of Kwara United so some NPFL clubs are said to be interested in having me. However, for now, I am enjoying my stay in Kwara United and I want to concentrate fully on the job that is before me. When we are done with the Aiteo Cup, then I may decide to look at available options. For now, I don’t want anything to distract me.