Delta Queens head coach Samson Keshi says he is short of words after watching his side fall 2–0 to Robo Queens in their Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership clash at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Wednesday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Speaking after the match, Keshi reflected on a performance that saw his team hold their own in the first half before collapsing after the break.
“In all honesty, I lack the words to define what really happened,” he said. “I prepared for this match, and you could see for yourself that the first half was basically even. But the second half didn’t help my team at all.”
Delta Queens have struggled this season, picking up just one point from their opening three matches. They began with a 0-0 draw at home to Sunshine Queens, followed by a 2-1 defeat away to Nasarawa Amazons, before Wednesday’s loss in Lagos.
Keshi, who has tried to avoid criticising officiating publicly, admitted that some decisions on the day affected his team.
“I always don’t want to complain about officiating, but sometimes when a match is going well and it’s a must-win home game, that’s what kills Nigerian football,” he said. “There were some issues with the referee. But even at that, my team did not do well in the second half.”
The coach was particularly upset about the build-up to Robo Queens’ opening goal.
“Why I was complaining to the fourth official is because that goal should have been a free-kick to us, not a corner to them,” Keshi explained. “But you know how it is, he wanted to give home advantage, and he did. My girls relaxed and conceded, and that’s why I was furious.”
Looking ahead to their next match, a home fixture against Confluence Queens before the Christmas break, Keshi said he expects an improved performance as he continues to build chemistry within the squad.
“They say you learn from your mistakes,” he said. “Some of these girls, I don’t really know them yet. I’m still trying to piece them together. But I know that by our fourth home match, we will come out positive.”
Despite the slow start, Keshi remains focused on turning things around.
“It is painful, one point instead of nine. But that’s football,” he added. “I’m going home to work on my strategies so we can start winning our games.”
