Despite a tremendous performance on Saturday during the ongoing Debmarine Premiership, Unam head coach Ronnie Kanalelo believes his charges have a lot to do to meet the physical fitness level they want as a team.
He said this during a post-match interview after a successful 2-0 win over Citizens on Saturday at the Unam stadium in the capital. The match between the two teams was one of two ties played at the grounds on Saturday. Vita Punanji scored two first-half goals to secure maximum points for the hosts.
Speaking after the match, the former Brave Warriors’ shot-stopper expressed excitement with his team’s performance, saying the players were great against their counterparts. He added that the win boosted their confidence, heading forward.
He was also quick to point out that he still feels his players have a lot to do to ensure they get to the fitness level they would want. The team consists of youthful players, and he will be willing to give them time to work on themselves to improve.
“Good game against Citizens. We managed to collect maximum points, although I feel like we should have extended our advantage as we took control of the game from the onset. We are, however, grateful, and I am happy with the way my boys played today.
“I feel we should have done better, but I do understand that the teams and players at large have not been involved in any football activities for a long time, and they are still working on themselves to get to the fitness levels we want them to.
It’s a youthful team with so much talent, and if we can work on the physical strength and other aspects of the game, I am sure we will be a force to be reckoned with this season,” he added. Meanwhile, Tura Magic clashed against Khomasdal outfit Civics in a game where Civics prevailed with a 2-0 win. Speaking after the match, Civics head coach Jeremy Zimmer said the duel was difficult as Magic exerted pressure on his team, but he was happy they came out victorious.
“It was a tough contest today as Tura Magic showed that they are not an easy team to play against. They dominated the game with good chances, but they couldn’t convert. However, I am happy with the way we responded, which ended up giving us all the needed three points,” he observed.
Meanwhile, Tura Magic head coach Timo Tjongarero said they had opportunities aplenty which went to waste. However, they will work on their tactics and ensure that they come back stronger.
“We wasted a lot of opportunities. We had the game from the onset, but a lack of finishing skills cost us. We could have collected maximum points, and we are now here. But overall, it was a learning curve, and we will go back to the drawing board and work on ourselves,” he continued.
Meanwhile, in other matches played on Saturday, Julinho Sporting tasted their first defeat of the 2022/23 Debmarine Premiership season after losing to Okahandja United 0-3 at home, while Mighty Gunners defeated Life Fighters by 2-1 in the much-anticipated Otjiwarongo derby. Young Brazilians went down 1-0 to Blue Waters.
-mkambukwe@nepc.com.na