Daily Independent Online.
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Wednesday, June 30, 2004.
NPA determined to avoid relegation
Stories By Emeka
Nwani
Senior
Correspondent,
Lagos
Towards the end of the first round of the
Premier League, nobody believed that the Nigeria Ports Authority could maintain
a standard at the Onikan Stadium, after virtually losing most of the points at
the National Stadium.
After defeating league leaders, Iwuanyanwu
Nationale, coach Emmanuel Okonkwo boasted that just like all other clubs who
want to win the league, he wants to win the title, but that it might be too late to start thinking about
that ambition. “ I just want to make sure that my team avoids relegation.
I know it is very possible. All we have to do is to strive to win all our home
games and try to get few points at away.
“ I sincerely believe it is possible
that we work hard and at the end of the season, NPA will remain in the Premier
League,” Okonkwo said. Nobody took him serious. It was like he was just
trying to talk to please his employers. But last Saturday at the Onikan Stadium,
NPA finally proved that they could surmount the pressure and come out clean to
remain in the Premier League.
NPA played as if they were gunning for the
league title and it was not surprising that Shooting Stars fell in a match all
Lagos based fans supported the Seasiders.
Now the battle to avoid relegation has
actually started.
Team Manager of the club, Mike Idoko said
that they are still working on a few things and would seal up the relegation
worries when they get some points from their away games.
“ I have said it and I will continue
to say it that we are not going on relegation. I was unfortunate that we did
not start the league on time and some unpleasant results came our way.
“ But I am still confident of the
boys and their ability to deliver when the chips are down. There is no reason
why NPA should go on relegation. This is because the team is a highly motivated side that can
play good football.
“ You can see that we have changed
from what it used to be in time past when we struggled to score even one goal.
But the ultimate for us is to avoid relegation and we are going to do just
that.
“ At the end of the season, NPA
Seasiders will play in the Premier League next year,” Idoko boasted.
NPA is now fourth to last on the league
table with 27 points after 23 matches and with the new found form of the team,
they may avoid the drop to the Professional league. The League has 11matches to
go.
