Nasarawa United head coach, Mbwas Mangut has given the reason for starting last season’s top scorer in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Anas Yusuf, on the bench in their 1-0 win over Wikki Tourists on Sunday.
Mangut clarified that the forward has not had enough training tie with the team since he returned from the African Nations Championship (CHAN) with the Super Eagles.
The Nasarawa United coach said Anas needs time to “gradually match up with other players of the team.”
“Starting Anas Yusuf from the bench in today’s game was deliberate because since he came from national assignment with the home-based Super Eagles and going to receive his highest goalscorer award in Abuja. He has been alternating trainings. This is part of our physical conditioning therapy for him to gradually match up with other players of the team, and we believe that he will recover fully to come back to the same form we have always known him for,” Mangut said after guiding his side to a slim win over Wikki Tourists.
Mangut also took time to speak on his team’s win over Wikki Tourists by describing it as “a thing of joy.”
The former Plateau United man further gave a tactical insight into how his team overcame their opponents at their Lafia City Stadium ground applying counter-press and building attacks from the rear.
He also spoke of their next game against Bayelsa United.
“It’s a thing of joy to get the maximum points against a difficult team that’s very mobile and have high confidence on the ball.
“We tried as much as possible to stop them from circulating the ball. We counter-pressed some of the balls, and one of those chances gave us the goal.
“From there on, we refused them the opportunity to build from the rear to the attack. It’s an open game for both sides, but I must give credit to my boys who stood firmly to achieve victory.
“By and large, the league is still in its infant stage. We are approaching every game as it comes, with different approaches, beginning with our next game against Bayelsa United.
“We will keep working hard and smart in each passing game to achieve our goals,” said Mangut.