BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
Head Coach of ECAS FC, Ugo Ezima, has expressed his disappointment following the team’s defeat in the quarter-final of the ongoing Oba Akran Cup, which was held on Friday at the Medical Camp 4 Ojo Barrack, Lagos.
ECAS lost 4-5 to Chekas United after one goal apiece at the regulation time in an encounter watched by a mammoth crowd.
Speaking after the match, Ezima commended his boys for their performance but attributed their loss as a result of not taking their chances in the early first half.
“It was not a game we were supposed to lose, and it was so painful that we eventually crashed out through penalties. I also blame my boys for not taking their chances, especially in the first half, and we dearly paid for it. If I may assess the game, it was a disappointing outing for us,” he said.
Ezima admitted that he would not blame his boys for the defeat alone; he also took responsibility and urged the boys to put the defeat behind them and prepare for subsequent competitions.
In his own remarks, Chekas Coach Moses Udoh described the hard-fought victory as a result of tactical changes he made after his player was red-carded.
He also thanked his boys for their doggedness and determination throughout the encounter. He particularly thanked his goalie for his brilliant form and took it upon himself to take the last penalty kick, which resulted in a winning goal.
In other quarter-final results, Heritage humbled Solid Rock 3-1, JP Young Stars defeated ECAS FA 2-1, while Bilda FC also defeated Smiler All Champions 3-2.