The new Chairman of Warri Wolves Neville Ambakederemo has continued to show confidence as his team hope to continue to ride in victory in the 2023 FA Cup.
In this interview with Chigozie Chukwuleta, the Chairman said that the team’s target is the FA Cup trophy.
Excerpts……
Q. Warri Wolves have shown to be on a different scale in the 2023 FA Cup. What is the secret?
A. The secret is determination, discipline and focus. Our target is to play good football and get the best result. Not just the FA Cup, the league also.
I am satisfied with the team’s sustained efforts in the FA Cup. We’ve met very good sides but football is football and you know the federation cup is known for upsets so we’re very happy for our victories.
Q. What is your target in this FA cup?
A. Of course to get to the finals and of course to leave with the trophy.
Q. The FA Cup is moving to a tougher stage and next week you will play against Gombe United. Are you confident your team will move beyond round of 16?
A. (Smiles) The performance of the team recently is a source of confidence for me. The players, coaches and management are working hard and the results so far are enough motivation.
Q. Warri wolves had a very unpleasant season last year and this season what have you done to make it better?
A. This season what we’ve done is that we have brought in young talented players
that are disciplined and we have brought in a home grown coach that is from Delta state that knows the game. He has been assistant coach for U-20, U-17. I think he is a grassroot coach, that is what we have done.
Q. What has been the challenges you met since you took over?
A. Since I took over I can say that things have really improved as you can see we won an away game, we drew a game at home so officiating has improved. I think I am lucky that when I came in officiating is very fair now.
Q. You were around when the team were in NPFL and now they’re playing in NNL, what do you think is the difference between /
A. If I am very frank with you the NNL is a stiffer and tougher league because everyone wants to come to the NPFL. There, everyone is relaxed and everyone has the ‘I’m a big boy’ mentality.
Q. So are you pushing to get back into the NPFL or to stabilize in NNL?
A. Definitely, I think every team is pushing to get to the NPFL and the good thing about ours is that this second stanza we have three home games and two away games so our target is to get the 5 games.
Q. Take away everything that is going well now for you, what do you think was responsible for Warri Wolves drop in last season?
A. I don’t think I am in the right position to say because I was not part of the team then.
Q. What is the support from the Delta state government like?
A. It is massive and a hundred percent, I can tell you for free. From the governor to the sports commission chairman to the members of the sports commission. In fact the entire sports commission they have been very supportive.
Q. What was your promise when you were appointed?
A. They didn’t ask me that.
