The head coach of TojeMarine Academy, Agboola Shittu revealed that his team will not look down on any team at the second phase of the 2024 Ardova Handball Premier League.
TojeMarine Academy were unbeaten in the first phase of the 2024 Ardova League recording 11 wins with 33 points.
Shittu told www.aclsports.com that the young crop of players are able to convert their chances in front of goal.
He attributed their performance to adequate camping, self-discipline and attentiveness to instructions by the technical crew.
He said, “Finishing top in the first phase of the league means a lot to me and the team. This will place the team at a vintage position ahead of the second phase. I have told the players not to be carried away by the unbeaten run and never to underrate any team in the second phase.
“Many people have asked how we were able to remain unbeaten during the first phase. We were physically and mentally prepared with adequate camping sessions. The players knew what was at stake and did not disappoint the coaching crew and the management.
“We also had a plan of play, which the players carried out successfully. It is one thing for a coach to have a game plan and it is another thing to execute. In each match, we were strategic about timing, and choice of players to avoid unnecessary fatigue and injuries hence, all the players were readily available at all times”.
Asked about the close relationship with the players, Shittu said, “As you may have noticed, we have a young crop of players, this poses a challenge and also an opportunity. I am able to convert the challenges into opportunities by promoting a very friendly environment with the players, I am part and parcel of them”.
Ahead of the 2024 IHF Women’s Youth (U18) World Championship in China, Shittu said, “We are going to the world stage and it’s unpredictable. However, we believe with the government’s support for adequate training camps and welfare, we can put the players in a better condition to compete favourably with the world”.
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Nigeria is in Group B with Angola, Croatia and Montenegro at the Women’s Youth World Championship.
