Sharks head coach Gbenga Ogunbote believes his team can meet the management’s target of qualifying for Africa next season.
He, however, called on all stakeholders at the club to be alive to their responsibilities for the club to meet this objective. He said he has faith in the squad he is putting together for the new season, but that the management, the coaches and the players would have to complement each other’s effort for the team to succeed.
“I have always said my target is to better the previous season’s record. However, giving me the target is a collective responsibility because we cannot clap with one hand. The management must be seen to do the right things they are expected to do, and the coach and players must also be seen to do the right thing. Then when they complement our hands with their hands, we’ll be able to clap,” Ogunbote told supersport.com.
“Last season is gone and nobody remembers it. Everybody wants to see what you can do in the new season. My aim is to make sure I achieve something in Rivers State. I want to build a team that can play anywhere and qualify to be a worthy representative of Nigeria. This is a collective responsibility of the fans, management, coaches and players. Each has a role to play.”
The coach admitted his job has been made easier having been in charge of the pre-season training, unlike last season when he often lamented the quality of his squad.
“To be honest, we have a better team now. What matters is how we manage it because the expectations are high. Having escaped (relegation) last season, everybody wants us to perform magic and we’re working hard not to disappoint ourselves and our sponsors,” he told supersport.com.
Though Sharks won the WAFU Cup in 2010, they have never won a domestic honour or participated in any competition organised by CAF.
The Port Harcourt side finished eighth in the Globacom Premier League last season with 53 points.