Head coach of Nigeria’s U23 football team, Imama Apapakabo speaks to Sammy Wejinya as his charges prepare to face Libya in 2020 Olympic qualifying today Monday, March 25 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
Coach Imama, how confident are you that your boys can turn around the first leg deficit on Monday. Imama Amapakabo (IA): We played against a Libyan team that we didn’t know much about. The major thing we know about them before the game was that they play play a 3-5-2 formation. We had a player sent off during the game but we had absolute control of the game. However, football is a game of (conversion) of chances.
We had chances, failed to take them while they converted two of the three shots they had on target.We had about four shots on target but failed to take any of them. We were able to pin them down where we wanted them. Tactically, we’ve been able to match faces to the formation that they play. I think this is an advantage to us and come Monday, I’m sure we will overturn the deficit.
Also some players have been drafted in to your squad from the Super Eagles to bolster…
Let me correct an impression here…. The players were not (demoted) to the U23s by my immediate head coach, Gernot Rohr. When we started building this team, we were always communicating and trying to build and also give others that did not have the chance to play regularly in the Super Eagles A team, opportunities, especially those that fell within the age grade (of the U23s). This will go down as a big plus for the nation because we have a really young team.
I think this team is even younger than the team that went to the (2018 FIFA) World Cup. We have been able to synchronize all (our early plans). With the four players that we have, the goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, and two centre halves that we have, Valentine and Awaziem and striker, Victor Osimhen.
There were in our plans from the outset but we wanted to give other players a chance. We had a very short time to plan and it’s always good to have players that understand formations and tactics in a very short time.
How has training progressed and what is your programme like between now and game day?
We had two training sessions on Saturday and it’s a thing of joy that the players are beginning to adapt to our tactical formation. In a very short time, we have been able to put our players through these important drills. We think they are beginning to gel as a unit. These guys are professionals and they are beginning to adapt very fast.
You are also assistant to Gernot Rohr in the Super Eagles.
What are your expectations ahead of the international friendly against Egypt on Tuesday?
This is also another preparatory opportunity for us. Remember, we’ll not have too many of such games before the tournament (2019 AFCON in Egypt). It’s important to play against the host nation and one of the pre tournament favourite because it will enable us the opportunity to assess the level of work we’ve done so far. This will also enable us to know where to cross our ‘T’s and dot our ‘I’s.
