My players were tactically indiscipline - Orange CAF Champions League 2009

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My players were tactically indiscipline

11-07-2009

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Heartland FC coach, Kelechi Emetole has attributed his side’s failure to lift the ultimate in the Orange CAF Champions League final to the tactical indiscipline of his players.

The Naze Millionaires lost 0-1 to DR Congo side TP Mazembe in Lubumbabshi on Saturday as the latter cruised to the title on away goals after both legs ended two all.

The Nigerian debutants needed a stalemate to claim their first ever continental title after a 2-1 win from the first leg, but an own goal by Emmanuel Omodiagbe on 73 minutes shattered their aspirations.

A desolated Emetole poured out to cafonline.com after the game that his players’ attitude of no respect for tactics served their bane.

“We lost clearly because of lack of discipline from my players. All my tactical instructions were not implemented and everybody was doing his own thing. This hugely affected our performance.”

The Ex-international nicknamed “Caterpillar” during his playing days also blamed his players’ inability to convert two golden opportunities in the course of the game as another contributing factor.

“We also wasted two golden opportunities in the course of the game and it contributed negatively to our quest.

“Our opponents maintained dominance and exploited every opportunity that came their way.”

Heartland finished the game with 10 men after midfielder Emeka Nwanna was given the marching off orders after a tackle on a Mazembe player in the dying embers of the game.

The Owerri-based club, which will play in next year’s Orange CAF Champions League alongside Bayelsa United as Nigeria’s representatives, received a cash-prize of 1-million US Dollars for emerging runners-up.

The Naze Millionaires, formerly called Iwuanyanwu Nationale also emerged runners-up in 1988 losing to Algeria’s Entente Setif.

RESULTS

Heartland FC