Former Super Eagles assistant coaches Imama Amapakabo and Salisu Yusuf hailed each other’s tactical knowhow which led to an entertaining 1-1 draw between hosts Abia Warriors and Nasarawa United on Sunday.
This Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 27 clash decided at the Umuahia Township Stadium pit Warriors who have suddenly played themselves into continental conversations against the Solid Miners fighting against dear lives.
Despite not being at their fluid best, Amapakabo’s Warriors went in front in the game through star striker Sunday Megwo who finished with aplomb after his strike-partner Antoine Desouza set him up inside the penalty box.
The goal brought a wave of attack by Nasarawa United and the deservedly got an equaliser in the 43rd minute through winger Mohammed Garba who scored from close range after some dozy defending by the hosts.
Neither side could score in the second half despite both creating good chances. Amapakabo attributed the result to his opponents’ tactical organisation.
“It was a game that we really wanted to win but we played against a tactical team. At a point in the second half, they kept a very low line and I was worried for my players,” said the former Rangers coach.
Asked if the battle with Salisu Yusuf on the touchline was worth it, Amapakabo replied:
“He is one of the coaches I respect so very much in the country. Tactically, I think he’s up there, he understands the game very well and both of us, we played in our heads because he knew what I was capable of and I know what he is capable of so it was a chess game and fortunately, we share the spoils and we live to play another day,” added Imama.
Nasarawa United coach Salisu Yusuf also had glowing words to say about his contemporary and agreed that both coaches thought alike.
“Coach Imama belongs to my own school of philosophy of football but we tried to change based on the current environment. The field we have here, we cannot play our free-flow (pattern) so we need to adapt a system that will suit our players and give us results and that we did.
“I will always respect Imama. He was my coach at Enyimba and in the national team and I believe we are from the same school of thought so whatever we are doing is nearly the same if you observe. So it’s always good to see each other and remember old times,” submitted Yusuf.
Both coaches will continue their quest towards achieving their teams’ targets in the NPFL in the coming weekend.
