As Rangers International Football club of Enugu prepare for the second leg of the last Confederation Cup qualifier against Royal Armed Forces of Morocco, the coach of the coal city team, Lawrence Akpokona, says his team will play with last drop of blood in their body to qualify.
Speaking to nigeriasports.com, the coach said that the outcom of the rescheduled premier league match againsg African Champions Enyimba International FC last weekend which they lost 0-1 will have no relevance on their continental match.
Rangers in a hard fought 90 minutes of premiership standard game gave in to what their coach described as a momentary lapse and conceeded a 77 minute goal scored by super sub Atanda Sakibu.
"The defence was very okay, very charged, it was just a momentary lapse. Segun parried the ball, the ball was bouncing, once, twice,two of them (Okey Odita and Kabiru Ibrahim) were there watchung the ball. Somebody came and shot the ball in between them",
"To me, they just gave away a cheap goal. they had all the time in the world the clear away that ball. They went to sleep. But that is football for you. It is a game of mistatakes. It was not fatigue but a momentary lapse. We were ready to go 120 minutes",
"However, we are moving forward, nowhere but forward and up. The outcome of this match will have no relevance on our continental match this weekend. We are already in the last match to the group stage and by all means, we will do everything, we will play with the last drop of blood in our body to qualify".
Speaking on the red cards that will bare about three of regular plaayers from playing the crucial match, Akpokona said "as for the card, no problem,we will adjust properly.
Enyimba beatable- Akpokona
The unbeaten record of the African Champions, Enyimba International FC in the domestic league is giving most Nigerian coaches sleepness nights, but coach Lawrence Akpokona whose side lost narrowly against the Aba giants says he will give them the chase of their lives.
Coach Akpokona while speaking to nigeriasports.com said the premier league this season is quite hot and that any of the five top teams will end the season with the Globacom Premier League shield.
"At the moment, the forerunners are there but you see football iss difficult to judge. But going by the performances so far, I can say that any of the five top teams can possibly win the league",
"Also from the look of things, Enyimba seem to be on a royal coaster right away and they are going to be difficult to stop, and we are coming from behind. We are wishing that they have a slip somewhere",
"We are going to give them the chase of their lives. We are going to close down on them. We are not going to give them any respite, honestly I can assure you that".
You won't be able to add comments, unless you are logged in
Not Registered yet ? Click here to Register.
