Kadiri Ikhana has expressed unhappiness with Kwara United's elimination from the 2011 Wafu Cup.
Kwara United lost to Enugu Rangers over two legs by 0-3 aggregate.
He told SuperSport.com that Rangers deserved to win the second leg at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.
The Flying Antelopes won by 2-0 through goals from Kabiru Umar and Brendan Ogbu.
"It is unfortunate that we lost the chance to progress further in the Wafu Cup. It isn't because we didn't want to but because we had our problems," explained Ikhana. The former Enyimba and Kano Pillars manager also disclosed that missing up to seven first-team players robbed his side the chance of doing well against Rangers.
"We have two players at the World Cup with the Under20 national team. Also we have other key players with the beach soccer team while about three players have gone on trials.
"But this is not an excuse because Rangers did very well to win in Ilorin and Enugu. However, you can't win matches when you're made to leave out most of the players that make your winning team," said the former African Coach of the Year award winner.
Ikhana has now set his sight on the Federation Cup formerly known as the FA Cup.
He is confident that his side can reach the next round in a group that has Heartland, Rising Stars of Akure, Spotlite of Katsina and Dekina Dragons of Kogi.
"Our focus is now on the Challenge Cup (Federation Cup). First we want to reach the next round from our group. Then from there we will take each game as they come," he said.
Kwara United started off their cup campaign on a goalless note with fellow Nigeria Premier League (NPL) side, Heartland last Thursday.
While this could have been an indictment on the NFF's treatment of local club, it should also teach the clubs to build a strong depth in their teams. Come January many European clubs will be losing African players to the Afcon (Arsenal alone could lose six) but it does not necessarily predict a slump in form. So npl clubs should work more on depth. It will even help financiallyWhile this could have been an indictment on the NFF's treatment of local club, it should also teach the clubs to build a strong depth in their teams. Come January many European clubs will be losing African players to the Afcon (Arsenal alone could lose six) but it does not necessarily predict a slump in form. So npl clubs should work more on depth. It will even help financially
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