Abia Warriors assistant coach Bethel Orji says avoidable defensive mistakes are behind the club’s difficult opening to the new Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
The Umuahia-based side fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Ikorodu City in their Matchday 3 meeting at Enyimba Stadium, Aba, on Sunday.
However, the result leaves Abia Warriors still waiting for their first win. They have collected two points from a possible nine, conceding six goals and scoring only twice in their opening three matches.
Orji was in charge for the game in the absence of head coach Imama Amapakabo and criticised the errors that have allowed opponents to score.
He said most of the goals conceded by Abia Warriors this season had come from mistakes that could have been avoided.
“It’s a big worry. We’ve been doing what we’re supposed to do to ensure that we stop conceding unnecessary goals because, you see, all the goals we’ve conceded have been gifted,” Orji told reporters after the match.
“It’s the defenders who gift them away. They give away the balls for the opponents to score against us.
“Like the second goal we conceded today, you saw it. Instead of clearing the ball, the defenders just stood there before the opposing striker pounced on it and put it into our net.”
Orji praises comeback against Ikorodu City
Despite his disappointment at the result, Orji praised the team’s determination to recover from a two-goal deficit and secure a point.
“It was a very good match. There’s fighting spirit in the boys, and I appreciate what they did. It wasn’t an easy game for us, but thank God it ended in a draw,” he said.
The assistant coach also acknowledged that Abia Warriors had failed to make the most of their opportunities and said improvements were needed in front of goal.
“We have to perfect our scoring strategy because we missed a lot of scoring opportunities,” Orji added.
Warriors set sights on away wins
Abia Warriors now face consecutive away fixtures against Sporting Lagos and Kano Pillars.
Orji said the team would prepare thoroughly for both matches and travel with the intention of taking maximum points.
“Nothing short of victory. We will prepare for the two games, making sure that we do our best to ensure that we get points from the two fixtures,” he said.
“Like now, we’ve played Ikorodu City, who came here and picked a point. In the same way, it won’t be impossible for us to also go there, to Sporting Lagos and Kano Pillars, and get those three points.”