Former Nigeria junior international and coach of FC Ifeanyiubah, Uche Okagbue, says the Anambra Warriors under his tutelage are still work in progress despite having not lost any game in the new NPFL season after match day 5.
FC Ifeanyiubah currently top the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Group B table with 11 points from five matches. They will host Abia Warriors in Wednesday’s matchday-six fixture tagged Oriental Derby.
Former Remo Stars coach Okagbue who first served in an assistant capacity at FC Ifeanyi Ubah, was appointed the head coach after Ladan Bosso left the Nnewi side.
“I’m happy we are getting some positive results at the moment, but truth is that the team is still work in progress,” Okagbue said after his young guns bagged an away win against NPFL newcomers, Kada City in Kaduna on matchday-five.
“It’s a good result but we can only work harder. We haven’t arrived and we haven’t achieved anything yet so there is still much work to do.”
FC Ifeanyi Ubah pipped Abia Warriors 1-0 in a preseason game at Nanka in December.
Checks revealed that as virtually all the regular players of the Anambra Warriors’ squad left at the end of last season.
Rangers, Rivers United and Lobi Stars benefitted hugely from the scramble for FC Ifeanyiubah key players during the transfer window.
The new generation of young players has a commitment to give their best to the club based on a number of factors, including how they are appreciated and motivated by the management.
“Personal relationship with every single player of the club is reason the players are firing from all cylinders,” an official stated.
“The chairman makes them understand clearly the management is there for them.
“Of course, this is not without sticking to the official protocol”.
Chairman of the club, Chukwuma Ubah, adds: “First and foremost, we have a group of young players who are desirous to play. They want to make names for themselves.
“Like you said, the reward system we put in place whereby outstanding players are rewarded with gift items (electronics items) also go a long way in motivating the players.
“The entire players are passionate about the FC Ifeanyi Ubah brand and our personal relationship with them, where we make them know that you are there for them is also a factor.
“And again, God comes first in all we do. We make Him the foundation of the club. Before the start of every season, we make it clear to all that we are absolutely dependent on God’s protection, provision and supervision.”
FC Ifeanyi Ubah won the 2016 Aiteo/NFF Federation Cup and represented Nigeria in the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup where they lost out to All Masry of Egypt on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate score over two legs.
