Gombe Utd Pushed Us Hard, Confesses Emordi

Former African Coach of the Year, Okey Emordi, had his heart in his mouth throughout Enyimba’s Week 28 match in Aba against fellow Premier League side, Enyimba.

The former Enugu Rangers’ coach told Naijaligue.blogspot.com that he felt relieved after a former Enugu Rangers’ striker, Junior Osagie, bundled in the winning goal of the game on 49 minutes to save the home side the embarrassment of a fourth home draw.

Emordi, who switched from Heartland Football Club as a technical consultant to the Peoples Elephant last August, emphasized that though the victory over the Desert Scorpions was a slim one, it (the win) was important to move within a point of Premier League leader, Kano Pillars.

The Enyimba gaffer said though his side could not break down Gombe United early enough and was worried, he was confident that the five-time Premier League winner would close the gap on Kano Pillars.

“It was a difficult game for us because Gombe United gave us a very tough time and played hard too. Though it was difficult to break down Gombe United because of the tight way they played, I was confident that we would find a way of getting the job done. It was a game that we needed to win since our rivals (Kano Pillars) for the title won their game.

“A draw would have damaged our ambition of winning the league, and it would not have been a fair reflection of how we played because we dominated. But in football domination does not count, but goals count, and I am happy that we got the goal though we should have had more,” he told Naijaligue.blogspot.com.

Despite the Peoples Elephant being a point behind Kano Pillars at the top of the league with a game in hand, Emordi is predicting a photo-finish in the run-up to this term’s title race.

At the same time, he does not belong to the school of thought that the battle title is a two-horse race between Enyimba and Kano Pillars.

“There are 20 teams in the league and there are teams battling to survive and there are teams playing for the title, and then there are those who are realistically looking at getting continental tickets. So to say it is a title race for Enyimba and Kano Pillars would be unfair to the other clubs because the season is still on.

“In football nothing is certain until it ends. So, there are a number of teams still in the title race and not just Enyimba and Kano Pillars. But we are concentrating on our own prospect for this season, which is to win the league and we are in a good position to do that,” the Enyimba manager offered.