Sports
CAPTAIN, Anambra male youth football team, Peter Udemba says it is hard work that made victory certain for his team at the Regional Cup finals.
“I am not surprised that my team bounced back after a slow start in the first half to come back strongly to lift the trophy,’’ Udemba said after trashing their Abia counterparts 5-0 in the finals.
The victory assured Anambra lads trophy and a place at the National finals of the Youth Games to be staged in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Anambra hosted to this year’s Regional Games’ soccer qualifying event at which winners and their runners-up will represent South East at the 5th National Youth Games in Ilorin.
Udemba adds: “the game, though, was a difficult one but we stood our grounds and played to instruction in the second half to earn the deserved victory.
“I am not surprised at the kind of fighting spirit we re-produced against Abia in the second half. We knew from the beginning that we were the team to beat.
“We didn’t play so well in the first half but after the break, we re-organised to score the goals that gave us this trophy.
“We will keep training so as to remain fit and strong ahead of the Games,’’ vowed Udemba.
Vice-captain of Abia team, Okorie Eze however, blamed fatigue for their loss to Anambra.
“We traveled a long distance and didn’t get the needed rest before the game and this negatively affected our performance.
He, however, admitted that his team had earlier wasted so many scoring opportunities that came their way. “We were made to pay for this in the second half’.
“We lost concentration after the first half and Anambra capitalised on it to punish us with goals, which made it easier for them to lift the cup.
“We were supposed to kill the game off in the first half by converting one of the chances that came our way.
“We will get back to prepare for next month’s competition and hopefully we will perform better.
“I want to say a big Thank you to Gov. Willie Obiano for the warm treatment accorded to us since our arrival for this competition, it has been top notch,’’ Eze added.
In the female category, Anambra defeated Imo, 2-0 to lift the cup in the final game.
The two teams, however, qualified before the final match after Ebonyi, Enugu and Abia failed to show up at this year’s tournament.
– Aug. 19, 2019 @ 17:39 GMT |
Tags: We are not surprised to lift regional trophy -- boasts captain of Team Anambra
