Football
Exclusive interview: ‘El Kanemi Warriors Didn’t Come to the Party’, Says Aliyu Zubair
El Kanemi Warriors' unbeaten streak in the Nigerian Premier League ended with a 3-0 defeat to Shooting Stars. Coach Aliyu Zubair reflects on the rare loss, pinpointing missed chances, defensive errors, and lessons to regroup and bounce back
NFF Media
The unbeaten run of El Kanemi Warriors in the Nigerian Premier football league came to an abrupt end on Sunday, as they suffered a stunning 3-0 defeat at the hands of Shooting Stars.
The loss marked a turning point in the team's impressive season, leaving fans and pundits alike wondering what went wrong, although coach Aliyu Zubair said it's normal for a team to win and lose.
In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.com, Zubair delved into the factors that contributed to the unexpected setback and the veteran coach's thoughts on the team's performance.
A Shocking Defeat
The final whistle at the Lekan Salami Stadium signaled the end of El Kanemi Warriors' impressive unbeaten streak, leaving Coach Zubair visibly disappointed but remarkably calm.
When asked to reflect on the match, he began: "There's no reaction, the game has been played, won and lost. I think I've never seen my team play like that before, even myself I can't attribute it to whatever reason. Certainly, we didn't perform at all."
The coach's words echoed the sentiment of the El Kanemi Warriors' faithful, who were left stunned by the team's lackluster display. The defeat in Ibadan was the first time for the Maiduguri warriors and the second time the club conceded three goals.
Conceding Three Goals
El Kanemi Warriors had never conceded three goals in a league match this season, making Sunday's defeat even more remarkable. Coach Zubair attributed this to a combination of factors.
We made mistakes, and Shooting Stars capitalised on them. Our defenders were caught out of position, and their strikers were clinical. We couldn't cope with their pressure, and it ended in the end.
Aliyu Zubair
Uncharacteristic Performance
El Kanemi Warriors had been renowned for their solidity and resilience throughout the season, making Sunday's defeat all the more surprising.
Zubair struggled to pinpoint the reasons behind his team's uncharacteristic performance. The club couldn't register a shot on target during the match.
"We didn't create chances, we didn't defend well, and we didn't do the basics right. It was a poor display all round. We've been working on our set pieces, but today we were caught napping. It's disappointing, but we can't dwell on it."
Lack of Urgency
One aspect that stood out was the team's apparent lack of urgency, particularly in the first half. Coach Zubair acknowledged this, stating:
"We didn't start the game well, and that set the tone for the rest of the match. We were slow to react, and Shooting Stars took advantage of that. We couldn't get into our rhythm, and it showed in our overall performance."
Lessons Learned
Despite the setback, Coach Zubair remains optimistic about his team's prospects. When asked about the lessons learned from the defeat, he emphasized: "We need to go back to the drawing board and reassess our strategy.
"We can't take anything for granted, especially against teams like Shooting Stars. We must work on our weaknesses and ensure we don't repeat the same mistakes."
Bouncing Back
El Kanemi Warriors face a crucial test of character in their next match, and Coach Zubair is confident his team will bounce back.
"We'll regroup, refocus, and work towards getting back to our winning ways. The players know what's at stake, and I'm sure they'll respond positively. We can't let one defeat define our season."
Coach Zubair's Set in Motion
As the Nigerian league enters its critical phase, Coach Zubair acknowledged the importance of maintaining consistency.
The team will be facing Niger Tornadoes who are a formidable team on the road. "We can't afford to drop points, especially against teams we're expected to beat. We must stay focused and keep working towards our objectives. The title race is far from over, and we're still in contention."
El Kanemi Warriors' defeat to Shooting Stars served as a stark reminder that no team is invincible.
Zubair's candid assessment of his team's performance highlighted the areas that require improvement.
As the team prepares for their next challenge, one thing is certain – El Kanemi Warriors will be more determined than ever to reclaim their spot at the top of the Nigerian league. They are currently in the seventh position with 16 points.
Jeremiah Omoniyi is a developmental sports Journalist with over five years of experience writing about grassroots and international football and sporting events. Jeremiah’s forte in sports journalism are feature writing and interviews which he has done to a reasonable amount within his home country, Nigeria.