NPFL

We were lucky to beat Niger Tornadoes – Erasmus Onu

By Nsidibe Akpan

Posted on October 1, 2023

Coach Erasmus Onu believes his team were lucky to beat Niger Tornadoes on Saturday

Photo credit: The Athletic NG

Head coach of Abia Warriors, Erasmus Onu says his side were lucky to win on Saturday against Niger Tornadoes on the opening day of the Nigeria Premier Football League.

After a frustrating first half between the two sides, substitute John Peter combined with Obi Sampson to win the game for the home side.

Speaking exclusively to The Athletic NG after the match, Erasmus Onu was happy to get the win but said his team were lucky to beat their opponent, having missed a host of chances.

Onu said: “It is a thing of joy to get all three points; it is not easy. It wasn’t as easy as people thought. My team are lucky today to get the three points. We had lots of chances to win the game but squandered, but then, luck shined on us with the goal.

Coach Erasmus Onu made changes in the second half which brought about the goal with John Peter and Obi Sampson coming on to make the difference. The two substitutes created and finished the goal that won the game.

“The changes made the difference,” Onu said. “It has been like this, I don’t make changes for changing sake, I make changes to get results, and today it did.”

Despite his team getting the needed points, Onu wants his team to be more efficient in front of goal.

“If we keep losing chances, something will happen at the other end. We have a goalkeeper who is there to do a job, and the defenders are also there to do their jobs, if they don’t do their jobs and get punished, then, there is no luck in there. We have to do better.”

With the season in its early days, Coach Onu believes Abia Warriors can challenge for the title and a continental spot next season.

“We are chasing what every other club is chasing. The league title, continental football and winning cups. We need continental football here,” he said.