The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Tenger

  • NEW SEASON: Tenger unhappy with date

    NEW SEASON: Tenger unhappy with date

    Veteran coach, Justin Tenger has described as unrealistic the proposed November 22 date for the start of the 2013/14 Glo Premier League season.

    The 2012/13 season ended on October 20 with Kano Pillars as the league winners.

    The League Management Company (LMC) had before the curtain fell on the out-gone season fixed November 22 as the kick-off date for the new season with the aim to catch up end the season before the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

    However, Tenger said the kick-off date is too short for teams to properly prepare for the wear and tear inherent in the league campaign.

    “If I have my way I’ll ask for an extension on the proposed November 22 new season date at least by one month.

    “November 22 is completely unrealistic, it’s less than a month to the kick-off date and I doubt whether any team can realistically garner all it takes to feature in the league.

    “There is registration of players to be done, finance and other logistics, among others, so if we really want to have a meaningful season that can stand the test of time the LMC should quickly step in to adjust the date. The November date is too short,” said the former Kwara United coach to supersport.com.

    Tenger, who is in his home state for the burial of the elder brother, said he will return to Uyo on Monday to begin elementary preparations for the new season.

    “I was asked to submit list of players but I couldn’t attend to the request because I’ve to rush home to attend to the burial of my elder brother who died at the eve of our game at Kwara United.

    “I hope to come back to Uyo on Monday to start preliminary work for the upcoming season as well as have discussion with the management on the way forward,” said the former Niger Tornadoes coach.

  • Tenger targets Kwara Utd for escape

    Tenger targets Kwara Utd for escape

    Akwa United coach, Justin Tenger has remained unrepentant that his side will maintain their status quo in the Glo Premier League.

    The Promise Keepers secured a 3-2 win against Kaduna United in Wednesday’s Glo Premier League Matchday 37 duel at the Uyo Township Stadium.

    Akwa United leading striker, Mfom Udoh scored a brace while the side captain and strongman, Ini Akpan scored the match winner in the 68th minute.

    Tenger said God has been the one driving his side survival battle so far and will surely perfect the side final victory at Kwara United.

    “I’ve always told my people that the side fight to stay alive is God’s battle and same God who has sustained the side so far in their several tribulations will accomplish it with huge success. We’re at the verge of cementing our position in the Premier League, I see our last game at Kwara United in llorin as a big plus for Akwa United to finally secure the points that will seal our place.

    “I believe God will complete the work he started in our lives in llorin by giving us the three points at stake. I’m confident of three points at Kwara United, that’s where we’re heading to at the weekend to secure our position in the Premier League.

    “Kaduna United gave us a scare by going ahead in the tie but we thanked God for seeing us through with the three points. It was a difficult game as Kaduna United threw everything in them for a win but it happened that we needed the points more than them,” said the former Niger Tornadoes coach to supersport.com.

    Akwa United have increased their total earnings to 50 points with the game at Kwara United left to conclude the season. .

    The Promise Keepers secured a 3-2 win against Kaduna United in Wednesday’s Glo Premier League Matchday 37 duel at the Uyo Township Stadium.

    Akwa United leading striker, Mfom Udoh scored a brace while the sides captain and strongman, Ini Akpan scored the match winner in the 68th minute.

    Tenger said God has been the one driving his side survival battle so far and will surely perfect the side final victory at Kwara United.

    “I’ve always told my people that the side fight to stay alive is God’s battle and same God who has sustained the side so far in their several tribulations will accomplish it with huge success.

    “We’re at the verge of cementing our position in the Premier League, I see our last game at Kwara United in llorin as a big plus for Akwa United to finally secure the points that will seal our place. I believe God will complete the work he started in our lives in llorin by giving us the three points at stake.

    “I’m confident of three points at Kwara United, that’s where we’re heading to at the weekend to secure our position in the Premier League. Kaduna United gave us a scare by going ahead in the tie but we thanked God for seeing us through with the three points.

    “It was a difficult game as Kaduna United throw everything in them for a win but it happened that we needed the points more than them,” said the former Niger Tornadoes coach to supersport.com.

    Akwa United have increased their total earnings to 50 points with the game at Kwara United left to conclude the season.

     

  • Tenger happy with wards

    Tenger happy with wards

    Akwa United coach, Justin Tenger has said he is proud of his wards despite going down to Enyimba in Wednesday’s Glo Premier League Matchday 34 encounter at the Enyimba International Stadium.

    Striker Emeka Nwanna fine header in the 38th minute proved decisive to earn his side the three points as well as another shot at the summit on 55 points.

    Tenger who attributed the 0-1 defeat to Enyimba to momentary loss of concentration said his wards were not disgraced in the grudge game.

    “I’m not disappointed rather proud of the players, they gave a good account of themselves during the game. We were not disgraced but lost the game gallantly. We conceded the goal in error, it was a seconds loss of concentration that caused us the game. It was our own mistake and we paid dearly for it.

    “Enyimba will admit they fought with men, they can go home and savour the victory, at least, they worked extremely hard to earn it,” said the former Niger Tornadoes coach to supersport.com.

    Tenger who acknowledged that his side’s position on the log is precarious however said it is not a lost battle.

    “It’s a dangerous spot we found ourselves at the moment, I fervently pray we don’t go down. We’ll quickly go back to design an escape route from the precarious position we’re right now, I still believe the situation is redeemable, I never lose hope till the last day. We still have couple of games to end the season we’ll fight to see what we can make out of the remaining matches, that’s our hope of survival,” Tenger said.

    Akwa United are stuck on 43 points from a possible 102.

  • TENGER TO HEARTLAND: Uyo still a ‘slaughter slab’

    TENGER TO HEARTLAND: Uyo still a ‘slaughter slab’

    JUSTIN Tenger, Technical Adviser of Akwa United, has assured that Heartland won’t be spared in Wednesday’s match day 31 fixture as Uyo Township Stadium still remains a ‘slaughter slab’.

    Speaking ahead his team’s mid-week home game against Heartland, the veteran domestic league coach said: “At this stage of the season, no match is smooth. So I expect a tough fight from Heartland.

    “The Uyo Stadium, I have nicknamed as a ‘slaughter slab’, as no team has left without a defeat. So the Owerri side should expect to be beaten in Wednesday’s Week 31 game.”

    On his team’s draw against Sharks on match day 30, he said: “I dedicated it to God.

    “However, I heap praises on my players for keeping their cool as they defended the one goal lead till the minute the referee gave the penalty.

    “I have played the same set of players in the past five or six matches for 90minutes, so there’s consistency in my team.

    “The penalty I really don’t want to talk about as it was best in the opinion of the match officials.”

  • Tenger calls mgt out

    Tenger calls mgt out

    Akwa United coach, Justin Tenger has said the management has the magic wand to power the side to a final spot in the 2013 Federation Cup competition.

    The Uyo-based side will clash with bitter rivals, Warri Wolves in one of today’s Federation Cup semifinal at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi. Both Glo Premier League clubs edged out giants in the quarter-finals to pave the way for the semi-final duel.

    Akwa United were made to work hard before eliminating Cup holders, Heartland on penalties in Kaduna while Warri Wolves had it easy against league champions, Kano Pillars in llorin, Kwara State.

    Tenger, however, is not impressed with the level of motivation from the Akwa United management to his wards going into the grudge tie against the Seasiders.

    “The management could single- handedly make or mar the game depending on their quick response to the financial needs of the players before Wednesday’s (today’s) clash against Warri Wolves.

    “The Federation Cup right now appears the surest opportunity for the side to win silverware in the ongoing football season but it is to be seen how the management will react to the incessant complaints of the players over poor welfare and non-motivation.

    “The morale of the players is at its lowest ebb, I’ve always used quality time that could have gone into meaningful training to plead with and psyche the players to go the extra mile in their games. I’m just realising the limit you can push a player on an empty stomach to work magic.

    “I’ve quality players who can stand shoulder to shoulder with their mates any day any time, but the lukewarm attitude of the management to their welfare has not helped the players to play to the optimum.

    “We’ve been struggling in the league to be where we are at the moment and equally struggled to get to the stage we are in the Federation Cup, but the semifinal of any competition is no mean stage and players must be at their best spiritually, psychologically and financially to deliver the goods.

    “The players have shown superiority over their opponents Warri Wolves in past encounters, they can still re-enact the feat but it all depend on how the management comes in quick to address the cry of neglect and proffer an immediate remedy to motivate the players,” said the former Gombe United coach to supersport.com.

    Akwa United left their base on Monday for the match venue in Bauchi where they will fight for a place in the final due for September 15 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

  • Tenger vows to muzzle Wolves

    Tenger vows to muzzle Wolves

    Akwa United head coach Justin Tenger has vowed to clinch the three points in the rescheduled Glo Premier League Matchday 16 encounter against Warri Wolves.

    The replay game ordered by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Appeals Committee will hold at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

    Though unhappy with the replay order, Tenger said his wards will head to Owerri to reclaim the three points denied them at the Uyo Township Stadium where they were comfortably two goals up before the game came to a sudden end.

    “The replay order is very annoying and a double standard by the NFF and I ask from here, is it because Warri Wolves are involved?

    “We had an uncompleted game against Dolphins in Port Harcourt and were asked to go back there and complete the remaining 45 minutes where we reduced the goal tally by one. The encounter ended 2-1 in Dolphins’ favour.

    “Similar incidents happened at Kano Pillars, Lobi Stars, Enugu Rangers, among others and none was ordered out of their ground, and here we’re being asked to go to Owerri.

    “We’ll obey the replay order, we’re not worried where the game or similar games take place because I know for certain that my wards will defeat Warri Wolves any day, any where and any time.

    “We’ll surely grab the three points denied us at Uyo as well as use the encounter as a dress rehearsal for the upcoming Federation Cup semi-final clash against the same side in Bauchi,” said the former Niger Tornadoes coach to supersport.com.

    Akwa United are in 19th position on the 20-team elite league log on 27 points though with less number of matches while Warri Wolves are second on the log on 37 points, two points behind leaders, Kano Pillars.