Abia Warriors head coach Bethel Orji has expressed confidence in his players ahead of the President Federation Cup final against Aliyu Zubairu led-El-Kanemi Warriors on Saturday, June 29.
Leading the Umuahia giants to the cup final is the closest Orji has gotten to winning a trophy as a coach, having masterminded a penalty shootout victory over Kano Pillars at the Umuahia Township Stadium earlier in June.
Although Abia finished 12th in the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, the Umuahia-based club could join Enyimba as Nigeria’s second representative at the CAF Confederation Cup should they defeat El-Kanemi at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Saturday.
“We are here and we’re highly motivated. We are all elated. I thank God for the turnaround in the fortunes of the team, and I am delighted to be playing my first Cup final as a coach,” Orji told thenff.com.
“We are prepared for the game, physically, mentally and psychologically. The players are in high spirits; they are raring to go.”
Abia, whose recent 12th-placed league finish ensured they’ll be playing in their 12th consecutive NPFL season, next season will be facing an El-Kanemi side that only just returned to the league.
The Maiduguri-based team are determined to secure their third cup victory after technical adviser Zubairu said his players are focused on complementing their promotion with the trophy on Saturday.
“I commend the players for not only ensuring promotion back to the top flight, but also reaching the President Federation Cup final. Yet, it is not over until it is over. We are here and we are determined to wrest the title. We have had some days to rest and we are going to work hard to deliver the trophy to our number one supporter, Governor Babagana Umaru Zulum,” Zubairu said.
Leading the Umuahia giants to the cup final is the closest Orji has gotten to winning a trophy as a coach, having masterminded a penalty shootout victory over Kano Pillars at the Umuahia Township Stadium earlier in June.
Although Abia finished 12th in the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, the Umuahia-based club could join Enyimba as Nigeria’s second representative at the CAF Confederation Cup should they defeat El-Kanemi at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Saturday.
“We are here and we’re highly motivated. We are all elated. I thank God for the turnaround in the fortunes of the team, and I am delighted to be playing my first Cup final as a coach,” Orji told thenff.com.
“We are prepared for the game, physically, mentally and psychologically. The players are in high spirits; they are raring to go.”
Abia, whose recent 12th-placed league finish ensured they’ll be playing in their 12th consecutive NPFL season, next season will be facing an El-Kanemi side that only just returned to the league.
The Maiduguri-based team are determined to secure their third cup victory after technical adviser Zubairu said his players are focused on complementing their promotion with the trophy on Saturday.
“I commend the players for not only ensuring promotion back to the top flight, but also reaching the President Federation Cup final. Yet, it is not over until it is over. We are here and we are determined to wrest the title. We have had some days to rest and we are going to work hard to deliver the trophy to our number one supporter, Governor Babagana Umaru Zulum,” Zubairu said.
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