Lionel Emmanuel Soccoia has set his sights on claiming a famous victory over Akwa United in Uyo as the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) enters match day seven.
Nyima Nwagua scored the decisive goal as Pillars beat high-flying Rivers United at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Wednesday.
Pillars head coach, Soccoia was suitably impressed with the win but now wants the success to be built upon as Sai Masu Gida tackle the Promise Keepers in Uyo on match day seven.
“I am very happy with the win against Rivers United and I congratulate my players for the win,” Soccoia told reporters. “We played almost an entire half with 10 players and it was very difficult for my players.
“Now, we have to concentrate on recuperating and then go to Akwa United to target a win. When Kano Pillars play any game, the target is always to win.”
Clubs in the NPFL predominantly travel by road and Soccoia has insisted that embarking on a road trip from Kaduna to Uyo to fulfil Saturday’s fixture against Akwa United will have adverse effects on his charges.
The distance between Kaduna and Uyo is 821.4 kilometres and with the hame brought forward by 24 hours because of Broadcast reasons, Soccoia has predicted that his players may not be in peak physical conditions.
“After the game against Rivers United, I spoke to the chairman of Kano Pillars and suggested that we fly and not travel by road from Kaduna to Uyo,” the French tactician revealed. “Now, we play on Saturday instead of Sunday and I don’t know why.
“Maybe the change is to accommodate having this game on television. Kaduna to Uyo (by road) is a (big distance).
“Now, we are more interested in the recuperation of the players after such a difficult game against Rivers United.
“Rivers United is a big and strong team with very good players.”
Goalscorer Nwagua also reflected on his side’s performance which culminated in an important victory that helped the Kano club climb to fifth on the standings, three points adrift of the leaders, Nasarawa United.
“The game against Rivers United was a tough encounter,” he told SPNAfrica. “They are campaigning in the CAF Confederation Cup and are high on confidence. They have been consistent and in great form this season so it wasn’t an easy game.
“Scoring the game’s only goal and bagging Man of the match award was also a good thing. Winning against Rivers United gives us confidence ahead of our next game against Akwa United.
“We listened to the instructions of our coach and it played off even though we played (with a numerical disadvantage) for long periods in the game.”
