We lost to Pillars’ experience, says Hoopers coach

The host club lost the finals played at the Civic Centre in Port-Harcourt to defending champions Kano Pillars by a single point. Kano Pillars won by 78 points to Hoopers 77.Speaking to Trustsports, the coach said while Kano Pillars boast of highly experienced players, his boys lacked the requisite experience to match their opponents.Odaudu said […]

The host club lost the finals played at the Civic Centre in Port-Harcourt to defending champions Kano Pillars by a single point. Kano Pillars won by 78 points to Hoopers 77.
Speaking to Trustsports, the coach said while Kano Pillars boast of highly experienced players, his boys lacked the requisite experience to match their opponents.
Odaudu said his players started well and took the lead but their opponents remained calm and when they took over, there was no stopping them.
He explained that it was the ability of the Kano State team to remain cool in the face of severe pressure that was mounted on them that gave them the victory over his side.
“My players lost the match due to inexperience.  Kano players boast of some of the best and most experienced players on the local scene. My boys started well but when our opponents took over, we could not match their experience.
“They took everything cool and waited for us to slip. The moment that happened, they took over and it was practically impossible for us to stop them”, he confessed.
The coach who was full of praises for his boys said they did not disappoint him because they were able to pick a continental ticket saying that was one of their targets for the season.
He said it was the club’s ambition to dethrone Kano Pillars and pick the ticket to play on the continent.
Odaudu said even though they lost the cup, they are consoled by the continental ticket in their kitty.
“At the beginning of the season, we set a target to win the league and also qualify to represent Nigeria at the continental level. We lost the trophy to a more experienced side but we are happy with the continental ticket”.
The coach added that since it is his team’s second season in the top flight, he is not in any way disappointed.
According to him, for his team to have defeated more experienced clubs to play in the finals and lost narrowly to a formidable opposition like Kano Pillars is no mean task.
“It was a close one. We lost by just a single point. I give kudos to my players because this is just their second season in the Premier League. We are optimistic that come next season, we would be able to dethrone Pillars”, he said