Ibom Angels technical adviser Whyte Ogbonda says he is eager to make a statement by winning the 2018 AITEO Cup final for his side Ibom Angels when they face Rivers Angels in Yenagoa on Tuesday.
Ogbonda, a native of Rivers state was assistant to current Rivers Angels head coach Edwin Okon when they won the Cup in successive years between 2014 to 2016 but has now led the Akwa Ibom State government sponsored Ibom Angels to a second consecutive Cup final.
Ogbonda told www.aclsports.com on Monday that he has worked so hard to win the title on Tuesday.
“I want to make a statement on Tuesday in Yenagoa, and that statement I want to make is for me to lift the trophy as the Technical Adviser of a team, not as a Chief coach like when I was in Rivers,” began Ogbonda to www.aclsports.com
“I have worked so much for this trophy and I have told my girls to help me because they are the tools I’m using. I have worked hard and the girls too have worked hard so I’m trying to make sure I lift the trophy on Tuesday as the technical adviser of my team and we will make it by the grace of God.”
Back to back finals
Taking Ibom Angels to a second cup final in as many years is by no means an ordinary feat for a team which had lived in the shadows of more illustrious South-South rivals (including Pelican Stars and Tuesday’s opponents Rivers Angels) in times past.
Coach Whyte as he is fondly called among women football aficionados says he worked on the psyche of his players and made them realise the importance of excelling with the club.
“I have so far succeeded in taking Ibom Angels to back to back AITEO Cup finals by talking to the players, letting them know that what they are doing is because of the platform given by the Akwa-Ibom State to showcase themselves.
“I told them to see representing the team as a market value for themselves which is basically by qualifying for the final again and going ahead to win it.
“By so doing, they’ve given themselves the market value then teams will come for them and we make money from them while they make names for themselves. I think that is just the psychological notes I gave them and since then, they have tried to live up to that.”
TV Motivation
Both of the 2018 AITEO Cup finals – Women and Men – will be broadcast on cable Television on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. That is an improved arrangement as compared to last year when the Women’s game was taken away from the glare of fans and TV viewers.
Ogbonda however believes that having this year’s final on live TV will serve as an added motivation for players on showcase to give their best.
“It will go a long way in motivating the girls to play well on Tuesday because everybody is watching.
“The whole world is watching and that is what I was saying about market value. Tuesday’s final is going to be a market value for the players because most people are watching from outside the country so if you play well, you can get offers from any other country.
“Their parents, sisters, friends will all be at home to watch so everyone will want to put their best to make sure they don’t disappoint their fans all over the world,” said Ogbonda.
The final between both Angelic teams is scheduled to start at 3pm Nigerian time at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state capital.
