Akinola Alabi, the coach of Defenders Babes, has challenged his players to be brave in their remaining matches as they battle against relegation at the ongoing 2020 Prudent Energy Handball League.
Alabi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja that his team needed to ensure they won their next three matches to remain in the sport’s premier league.
NAN reports that the Safety Babes, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) female handball team, had defeated the Defenders Babes 35-31 on the league’s day nine on Monday.
The coach said he was parading at the ongoing league a new set of players which he was working on to build a new team.
“All our old and experienced players have left the team for one reason or the other, and we are working on these new players to have a stable team.
“It is unfortunate that my team lost against Safety Babes in today’s match. This is our eighth match. We have won three, drawn one and lost four matches.
“We will fight well in our remaining matches so that we will not go on relegation, ” he said.
He however urged his players to remain focused and work hard to win their remaining matches.
“Our next match will be a do-or-die game because we must not go on relegation.
“We don’t want to go on relegation and we must win our remaining matches so that we will feature in the next edition of the league,” the coach, whose team is owned by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said.
Meanwhile, the coach of Safety Babes, Mohammed Bala, has said he and his players must put up a good fight in order to retain their title at the league competition.
“Everyone is here for the title, and as the current Champions we will fight well to maintain our position in the league.
“So far, we have lost one, drawn one and won five matches, and I will advise my players to continue with the team spirit of winning.
“Our target is to win the league this year again,” he said.
NAN reports that in some of the league matches played on Monday, Adorable Angels defeated Imo Grasshoppers in the day’s first match while Plateau Peacocks beat Seasiders Babes of Lagos 22-17.
In the male category, Kada Stars of Kaduna lost to Rima Strikers 24-38 while COAS Shooters beat Confluence Stars 27-26.
NAN reports that Edo Dynamos are now leading the female competition’s table, while Adorable Angels are second, Safety Babes are third and Defenders Babes are eighth on the table.
Twelve teams are participating in the male category of the league, while 10 teams are featuring in the female category.
NAN reports that the league which entered Day 10 on Monday started on Oct. 31 and will end on Saturday.
