ABUJA – Patrick Bassey, coach of Prisons Football Club of Abuja has blamed his team’s 1-3 loss to city rivals Supreme Court FC on the suspension of the Nigeria National League (NNL).
The league resumed on Saturday after some weeks of suspension due to the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) crisis.
Bassey, while speaking to newsmen at the end of their rescheduled Group A week 26 match, said the break in the league was not good for his players.
“The suspension of the league contributed to our loss today (Saturday).
“The players were even tired of training, because they kept on being told every time that the league would resume and only to be told later that it was not going to be.
“Suddenly (some days ago), they (the players) were told they would be playing this weekend. So, in short, we were not prepared for this match.
“In spite of that however, we thank God for everything,’’ he said.
On his part, Supreme Court FC’s coach, Fatai Osho said: “I am happy that my team won, but I equally do not like this break in the league.
“This is the same thing that happened last year and it is not easy to keep the team together during this period.
“But we kept our players busy with friendly matches during the break and that is why we won,’’ Osho said.
In the match played at the Area 3 Sports Complex in Abuja, Friday Jacob’s hat-trick was all Supreme Court FC needed to defeat Prisons FC and secure the three points.
Jacob opened scoring 28 minutes into the game and extended his team’s lead five minutes later.
In the 68th minute, Bartholomew Sukwu scored with a good shot from outside the penalty box to halve the deficit, only for Jacob to complete his hat-trick in the 73rd minute.(NAN)
