Hungry players helped El-Kanemi, says coach Zubairu

Head coach of El-Kanemi Warriors Aliyu Zubairu has credited the team’s triumph in the 2024 President Federation Cup to the zeal and hunger of his youthful side, According Sports Extra reports.

The Maiduguri side won their third Federation Cup title on Saturday by outclassing Abia Warriors 2-0 in the men’s final at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos. They had won the title in 1991 and 1992.

Man of The Match and midfielder Nasiru Salihu, who missed a penalty in the opening stages of the game put their opponents to the sword with two goals (one in each half) to cap a dominant display from Zubairu’s men.

The Federation Cup title was the second achievement of the Maiduguri side under Zubairu, having led them back to promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League ahead of next season.

“When we started, the players I assembled were young and hungry, they want to make a name for themselves,” Zubairu said after the game.

“At some point, we were playing in the NNL and the President Federation Cup which wasn’t easy but the initial intention of getting younger players paid off because they could persevere and we prevailed in the competition eventually.”

Aside from winning the Federation Cup, El-Kanemi Warriors will also play on the continent next season as Nigeria’s second team in the CAF Confederation Cup, alongside Enyimba.

Zubairu maintained that the crop of young players will be kept for their campaign next season.

“The reality remains that if the Europeans can believe in young players, what is stopping us from doing that?

“I’m not saying there are no experienced players that can go round the continent and do better, but don’t deprive the younger ones the opportunity. Age does not play football and the younger the better.”

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