Sports
TEAMS participating in the North Central zone of the Nationwide League One (NLO) Cup are set to use the 10-day break after the first round to rest and restrategise ahead of the second round.
A total of 28 matches were played across seven match days, producing 84 goals among the eight participating teams.
City FC of Abuja finished the first round at the top of the standings with 21 points, while RBM Sports FC and Bussdor United FC occupied second and third positions with 11 points each.
Atlantic Integral FA followed with 10 points, while Ben Akwuegbu FC had nine points.
Abuja United FC garnered seven points, as Paul E FC and Young Kogites had six points each.
The teams are expected to resume action on Nov. 18, with coaches expressing optimism about improved performances in the second round.
An official of Paul E FC said the team had gradually adapted to the league system and expressed satisfaction with the progress made by its players.
The official said the improvements demonstrated the impact of the NLO Cup on the players’ development.
Coach Sani Adamu of Ben Akwuegbu FC, said he was pleased with the opportunity provided by the NLO for young players to showcase their talents and pursue careers in football.
He said lessons from the first round would guide the team’s efforts to further develop its players and improve their performances.
“We want to continue with what we have done, and at least make the players realise that they can do it.
“By the time the second round starts, we will look at how we can improve. Even if we don’t get the results we want, our performance should not go down,” Adamu said.
Meanwhile, Coach Sunday Bege of City FC said his team would not become complacent despite finishing the first round at the top of the table.
Bege said the team needed to re-strategise ahead of the second round but described playing its home matches at the FIFA Goal Project as a source of confidence.
“It offers us a lot of confidence and commitment. If you watch all our recent matches here, we have been winning with confidence.
“I don’t see any team coming here and saying it wants to play a draw with us. I doubt it,” he said.
Bege added that City FC had consistently given visiting teams competitive matches at the venue.
“We at City FC express ourselves here and give them a good match,” he said. (NAN)
M.P
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