Gold Cup:Cynosure coach looks forward to Kwara Utd clash

By Akeem Lawal

CYNOSURE FC Head Coach, Deji Ayeni says losing their first match at the ongoing Gold Cup tournament is not a big deal as it affords the opportunity to re-strategize for their semifinal game against Kwara United on Wednesday at the Ondo State Sports Complex in Akure.

A 65th minute strike by Adedipe Kehinde was all Sunshine Stars needed to top Group B table and condemn the Abakaliki-based side to its first defeat after three games in the tourney.

In a chat with Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com after the encounter, Ayeni said, “The loss is a positive one for me because in football, you either win, lose or you draw. So as a good technocrat, you should expect that. To me, it is not a loss because I foresee what was going to happen. I’m a kind of person that doesn’t complain about officiating. Be it as it may, we give it to them because it is going to give them confidence towards their league proper.

“There is no team that is not beatable. The most important thing for the teams is to work on their tactics and how disciplined are you. You can beat me witness today, if not the loss of concentration, there is no way we would have lost that match because I work on my tactics and made sure that everybody worked according to the tactics. So when you work according to your tactics you will get results.”

Ayeni said he is proud of his boys’ performance, adding his players can walk into any team in the NPFL.

“Honestly speaking, if the boys find themselves in any team, they will deliver because they have what it takes. But one thing I understand about Nigerians is that we don’t always appreciate the younger ones. We should give them the opportunity to exhibit what they have so that you will have a balanced team.

“Look at our national team, when the players are aging we should replace them with younger ones so that the team will be solid back again. But when you have the bulk of old team, you’ll find it difficult for the whole cohesiveness of the game.”