Our tactics worked against Akwa United, Says Baba Ganaru

By Taofeek Babalola

El Kanemi Warriors technical adviser Mohammed Baba Ganaru has revealed that his side went to Sunday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) opener against Akwa United with a game plan, Sportinglens.blogspot.com reports.

The Desert Warriors recorded only away win of the match day one of the 2018/2019 NPFL following a 1-0 win over the Promise Keepers at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

The hosts were stunned with Ba'akaka Azikoro late minute goal which earned the visitors all three points at stake in the match and placed them on Group A table.

Azikoro put the ball into an empty net after Akwa United’s goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo was robbed of possession inside the center circle.

In a chat with Sportinglife.ng, Ganaru said the win is a good motivation to his boys and the entire team.

“First of all, I thanked God for the win.  Akwa United is a team that always playing passing game. So we came to Uyo with game plans. They love to create more space but we denied them by always put more players behind.  We used counter attack to beat them to their tactics which worked for us at the end of the day,” Ganaru said to Sportinglife.ng.

“Towards the tail of the game, Akwa United were under pressure and they came out forcefully but they lost balance in the defense. That was how we got them on counter attack. And we got our goal. The goal means so much to me. In any competition, the first game is very important. It is give motivation and sent signal to our opponents. The boys did very well despite the fact that we were not very active in the pre-season. I am very happy with my boys display today.”