“To be honest with you, I’m really impressed with my team’s performance in the 1-1 draw against Abia Warriors. The reason is simple, it was the first Grade A friendly match we have played since we resumed preparations for the new season. We didn’t win and I’m not bothered about the result because this competition is for me and my technical team to properly look at the players we have on ground “.
Those were the remarks of head coach Baba Ganaru following Akwa United’s 1-1 draw against Abia Warriors in their first match at the ongoing Gov Douye Diri pre-season football tournament in Yenagoa on Monday.
Coach Baba Ganaru observed that the quality of teams taking part in the competition are top clubs with lots of experience and revealed that he will ensure that his team will make the best out of the tournament.
“I must commend the organizers of this tournament for the quality of teams they invited because these are teams we will play in the league so it’s good for us to also face them in competitive games.
“We are here for a purpose and we have to work towards achieving that purpose. It will be great if we win this competition but if we don’t win, no problem because we are not here to kill ourselves over a pre-season trophy but we will do all we can to ensure we use this tournament to blend our squad, and improve our game plan and tactics. My major concern is to ensure all the players have a taste of this tournament”.
Forward Edidiong Ezekiel gave the Promise Keepers the lead in the first half from the spot after his teammate Mare Abson was fouled in the box. Abia Warriors leveled the scores in the second half as both teams shared the spoils at the end of regulation time.
Akwa United will next engage Sunshine Stars on Wednesday at ten O’clock in the morning (10:00am) while Abia Warriors will take on Bayelsa United in the early kickoff schedule for 8:30 am at the venue.
