Obuh: We must take our chances

Coach Obuh, what are your impressions from the warm-up game against Rwanda? Obuh: Honestly, it was a good game because the team performed better than we did in our final tune-up games against ABS and Kaduna United before we left Nigeria. I saw a better and much more confident team against Rwanda despite the fact […]

Coach Obuh, what are your impressions from the warm-up game against Rwanda?

Obuh: Honestly, it was a good game because the team performed better than we did in our final tune-up games against ABS and Kaduna United before we left Nigeria. I saw a better and much more confident team against Rwanda despite the fact we eventually lost the game. I was impressed with the way we took the game to our opponents as our runs on and off the ball got us to create many chances. We took shots on target with one or two of them being saved, while others narrowly missed target. I am equally encouraged by the determination of the boys. I am even more confident of this team now and had we taken the chances we created, we would have won. We have to work on the mentality of the boys as I expected them to be a lot more concentrated especially in the closing moments of the game because if you let in a goal at that time, it is often very difficult to draw level as there will not be enough time to do so.

The real test will be the 2013 African Youth Championship qualifier in Tanzania on Sunday. What are your thoughts?

We need to score goals and win the match. If we had taken our chances against Rwanda, we would have easily won 1-0, 2-0 or at worst drawn the game. But again if we had won, it could also have worked against us because the players may now think they have arrived before our important qualifier. I believe the pain of the loss in Rwanda will propel the team to go all out and win in Tanzania.

What information do you have about the Ngorogoro Stars of Tanzania?

Rwanda have given us a little glimpse of what to expect from Tanzania because they are both from the same Central and East African sub-region. I also spoke to the Rwanda coach Richard Tardy after our game and he gave me a few tips as well because his team beat Tanzania twice in Tanzania recently. I believe we are up against a tough team and the fact that any team facing a Nigerian team always redouble their efforts means that we are in for a big battle. We therefore need to be determined, focussed and work hard to ensure we win this game.

You often say you give yourself pressure. After the loss to Rwanda, has that self-pressure increased?

No, it hasn’t. I trust what I do. The pressure now is for my players to deliver, go out there and come out with a good result. I am dedicated to this job so much so that I put myself under pressure even when I’m sleeping.

So, finally what should Nigerians expect on Sunday in Dar es Salam?

Let them have the confidence in this team because we will not disappoint them. I believe we have done a good work leading up this match and with prayers and some element of luck, we will be victorious. This team will continue to improve and so we must all put in everything to ensure we continue to win so as to qualify for the African Youth Championship and thereafter the World Cup.