An ex-Rangers International, Fred Okpala says Ifeanyi Ubah FC of Nnewi will need quality and tactical discipline to hold top contenders, Sunshine Stars of Akure.
The Nnewi side will host Sunshine Stars in the week 22 fixture on Aug. 9 at the Rojenny Stadium Oba, near Onitsha.
Okpala spoke against the backdrop of the uninspiring performances of Ifeanyi Ubah in recent times that had led to their steady decline in the run up to the league table.
They lost 0-3 to Warri Wolves in Warri on Aug. 5 and earlier managed a 1-1 draw against Abia Warriors on Aug. 2 in Nnewi.
The Anambra Warriors as the club is also known, just returned to their traditional home ground in the 12th spot on the table, with 28 points — eight wins, nine loses and four draws — after 21 matches.
The Akure side had occupied the third spot on the log with 36 points — 11 wins, three draws and six loses with an outstanding match.
“The character that makes a team is lacking; you cannot be losing points continuously in every game, at this stage of the league. The ingredients of a good team are professional management, a good bench and good sets of players. But I cannot see all that now, they must work on themselves to win against the visiting Sunshine. I pray they win,” Okpala said.
Meanwhile Coach John Obuh of Ifeanyi Ubah explained that the poor showing of the club was psychological rather than tactical error.
Obuh said there was need to beef up the team with new players, noting that it was difficult getting players during the mid-season transfer window because of the indebtedness of clubs to players.
He said they had put the past behind them and were looking forward to securing three points against the Stars.
The coach, however, urged the club’s supporters to be patient with them, stressing, they were under pressure to deliver.
“We are working to get it right, the recent results are impacting negatively on some of the players, their mentality has to be repositioned to winning and it is psychological.
“We need new players quite alright but that is not easy in the mid-season, now because most clubs owe their players and if you contract them you also become responsible for their pay.
“Our match against Sunshine is important to us and we shall be victorious, we appeal to our supporters to be patient as we are on course,” he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment