Abia Warriors’ maiden marketing campaign within the CAF Confederation Cup started with each promise and ache.
On Sunday, the debutants had been denied a dream begin after conceding a late equaliser in a 1–1 draw in opposition to Mali’s Djoliba AC on the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.
For head coach Imama Amapakabo, the consequence was bittersweet.
His aspect dominated possession, created probabilities, and practically secured a historic first-ever continental victory, however a lapse within the closing phases handed the guests a vital away objective.
The skilled tactician, who as soon as led Nigeria’s U23 and has managed throughout the NPFL, didn’t cover from accountability. As a substitute, he gave a candid evaluation of what went flawed and the way his crew should reply within the decisive return leg in Bamako.
Eyes on Bamako: “We should rating”
The away-goal rule has tilted the tie in opposition to Abia Warriors. A goalless attract Mali wouldn’t be sufficient; they need to discover the online in Bamako to progress. Amapakabo is clear-eyed in regards to the job.
“Soccer is soccer. We all know we put ourselves in a nasty scenario. We should go there to get a consequence. They got here right here, they had been in a position to get a 1-1, which suggests no matter consequence that we’ve got to get there, should be that we should rating. Goalless will not be even good for us, so we’ve got to return and plan. It’s not over till it’s over. We’ve got one other 90 minutes to play.”
On stress: “Possibly the one coach not underneath stress is one with out a contract”
Requested in regards to the stress that comes with carrying not simply Abia Warriors’ hopes however Nigeria’s continental repute, Imama was blunt.
“I stay with stress. That’s the reality. From once I performed, in the event you requested, no stress. It’s the job, it’s what I stay with. Coming into this sport, there was stress. We wanted to win, we didn’t win. Now there’s stress once more.”
“The populace; supporters and everyone have their very own opinions. The federal government additionally, who’re sponsors of the crew, must get outcomes for the funding. There’s at all times stress in all places. That’s soccer for you. I ponder which coach has a job that’s not underneath stress. Possibly the one coach that’s not underneath stress is a coach that hasn’t obtained a contract.”
It’s not but over, till it’s over
Regardless of the late heartbreak in Uyo, Imama stays optimistic. His philosophy is rooted in accountability however fueled by perception.
“It’s one thing that we’ll return and we’ll work on and consider that it’s doable. I’m a really optimistic particular person, I don’t hand over it doesn’t matter what. We’ll take a look at the gamers which were in a position to do effectively… We gifted the ball an excessive amount of.
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“I at all times say I’m a really optimistic particular person. I’m the primary particular person to have a look at myself and inform myself, look, I’ve failed. I hate making excuses for failures as a result of I consider that in excuses you’re taking away your proper to fail. We’ve got performed this sport, we’ve got drawn. What if we had misplaced? The world wouldn’t have come down, the solar would nonetheless shine tomorrow.
“However we all know as painful as it’s, as a result of everyone that got here to assist us right here needed us to win. So we’ll go to Bamako, Mali subsequent week and we’ll throw our playing cards on the desk and we’ll see what we’ll be capable of get there.”
The stakes in Bamako
Abia Warriors are usually not simply preventing for themselves; they carry Nigeria’s flag in a season the place NPFL golf equipment are determined to re-establish continental relevance. For Amapakabo, historical past remains to be inside attain; a maiden win on overseas soil might but flip this tie and cement his aspect’s place amongst Africa’s rising contenders.
As he put it: “It’s not but over, till it’s over.”
