Abdul Maikaba, the Technical Adviser of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, has hailed the performance of his team in the Federation Cup Round of 32 encounter against Kano Pillars.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rangers struggled hard to defend an early 2-0 lead against a dominant and aggressive Kano Pillars on Wednesday in Abuja.
Kano Pillars created several goal-scoring chances in the match but failed to convert against the Flying Antelopes.
They were made to rue those missed opportunities as a first-half brace from Godwin Obaje from two rare counter-attacking moves settled the game in Rangers’ favour.
Maikaba blamed Ranger’s scrappy performance on fatigue, saying that his team didn’t have enough time to rest before the game.
“It was a good game and I am very happy to have won by a 2-0 margin. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy right from the onset.
“But we tried our best in spite the fatigue emanating from our long trip to Gombe to face Doma United over the weekend.
“Our opponents on the other hand, well rested well, fresh and prepared for the match as they had no match engagement at the weekend.
“This is the reason why we found the match so difficult, but we were technically and tactically more sound than our opponents,” he said.
He also said that his team’s strategy was to contain their opponents attacking forays and attempt to catch them on the counter.
“We ensured we took our very few chances at goal very early in the game and defended it very well.
“Besides, Kano Pillars is my home team and have an idea of the team and the way they play.
“They are a combination of experience and youth with a lot of energetic and adventurous young players in the team.
“So, the idea was not to match their pace, but rather to manage and contain their incursions.
“We made it difficult for them to break into our defence, while aimed to catch them with counter attacks,” Makaiba said.
On his team’s chances of winning the federation, he said their goal was to take it one game at a time.
“We have four more games to the final and no one game is the same; they all come with their peculiar pattern and challenges
“So, our plan is to approach each game with a different tactics and strategy based on the team we face until we get to the final by the grace of God,” he said.
On his team’s chances of surviving relegation in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Maikaba said winning their last match was non-negotiable.
“We have only one match to play and we have no choice but to make it count if we hope to stay up.
“We play host to Rivers United and we know it is not going to be easy.
“So, we must go into the match with a positive mindset and that is to secure the three maximum point at home and nothing less,” he said.
NAN reports that Rangers International of Enugu take on a high flying Rivers United in NPFL’s match day 18 encounter on Sunday.
The Flying Antelopes, with 20 points from 17 games played in the NPFL, currently sit in seventh position on the 10-clubside Group B table.
Rivers United are second on the log with 26 points from 14 games they played so far.
