Coach Felix Chukwugozie Agogo of Solution FC has commended his teams hard-fought 1-0 triumph over TradeSafe FC in the Nigeria National League (NNL) Conference B played at the Awka stadium on Saturday.
ANN reports that in a thrilling encounter on matchday one, the lone goal, scored in the 90+3rd minute, added a dramatic twist to the evenly contested match.
Coach Agogo commended the players for their exceptional effort, considering the team’s recent formation. He emphasized the limited time the squad had to blend, with only three weeks of collective training and some players joining just two days prior to the match.
Despite these challenges, Agogo expressed satisfaction with the team’s standard of play, stating that they did extremely well.
“For a virgin team like this to have played up to this standard, I think they tried their best.” Coach Agogo stated.
Explaining the unique circumstances of forming a new team, Agogo revealed that the state had no existing team, prompting the governor to establish Solution FC.
Coach Agogo detailed the extensive screening process, spanning three weeks, to identify and select players.
He highlighted the common tendency of players to emerge after the official registration period, emphasizing the meticulous screening to ensure a dedicated and committed squad.
As Solution FC continues to evolve, Agogo outlined the strategic approach moving forward.
Acknowledging areas of improvement, particularly in the midfield and attack, he emphasized the need for continuous development.
“We have noted the areas where we have faults, as the league progresses, we start building on them to be catching up with others.”
Regarding the officiating of the match, Agogo, also a referee and match commissioner, lauded the performance of the match officials.
He acknowledged the subjective nature of opinions on officiating, stating, “The way people look at matches is not the way I look at matches.”
Coach Agogo expressed confidence in the referee’s competence, emphasizing that perceptions might differ based on the team’s outcome.
Stephen Etta, the defender for Solution FC, shared his insights with the press after the game, acknowledging Tradesafe FC as a formidable opponent.
Etta commended both teams for their strong performances throughout the 90 minutes, emphasizing the competitiveness that ultimately led to a clear winner.
Reflecting on the tense moments in the extra 5 minutes, Etta revealed the collective mindset of Solution FC.
Etta highlighted the team’s awareness of missed chances earlier in the game, expressing gratitude that they capitalized on an opportunity to secure the victory.
In his words, “We had very clear chances right from the first half. So, if a team continues missing their chances and the opponent gets one chance, that will be the end in Nigeria football. They won’t come out to play again.”
Etta described the pressure of potentially going back goalless, especially in their first home match of the season, and credited divine intervention for the late goal that sealed the win.
The defender expressed relief and gratitude, saying, “I just thank God how it happened. We scored, I think, 90+3. And after everything, the game was over. I just thank God for the victory.”
The late goal not only secured three points for Solution FC but also set the tone for what promises to be an exciting NNL campaign.
