UNIPORT Coach Blames Weather For Exiting HIFL

The Head coach of University of Port Harcourt football team ( Sharks of Uniport) Egwin Ifeanyi has blamed  bad weather for playing out a goalless draw against University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) at the ongoing Higher Institution Football League (HIFL) 2023 season.
He stated that the weather was not favourable to his players in the first half of the game, adding that in the second half when the rain subsided they played better.
Ifeanyi said this on Wednesday in his post match interview with Sports journalists shortly after they were knocked out of the HIFL in their second  match, after playing 0-0 at the Uniport Sports Complex.
UNN Lions will now progress to the quarter finals of the competition on aggregate, after winning the first leg 4-2 in Nsukka.
Coach Ifeanyi stated that they were playing under pressure because of the goals they conceded in Nsukka, adding that their intention was to win the game but it was a difficult game to see off, he added.
He Congratulated his players for doing their best but believed that the luck of the game was not on their side.
“ I will say kudos to the UNN team for their better performance today and their progress to next stage of the competition.
“I wish them all the best of luck in the competition” Ifeanyi said.
The reigning NUGA champions missed a plethora of chances especially in the second half, failing to break down a dogged away side, earning UNN Lion’s defender Ifeanyi Emeka  man of the match award in Port Harcourt.
Also speaking, Head coach of the UNN Lions, Ike Chijioke, said that his boys (players) played according to instructions.
UNN Lions may be back in Port Harcourt for the quarter finals to play Ignatius Ajuru University Minders, who advanced to the round of 16 after winning their second leg game against DELSU Titans to qualify on 3-2 aggregate score..

By: Kiadum Edookor