I Have Quality Replacements For Invited Players- MFM Coach

MFM coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu has assured that he has quality replacement for his players that have been invited for the Nigeria U23 national team camp.

The Olukoya boys beat Wikki Tourists 1-0 on Friday night, after about five games without a win in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

Dream Team VI coach, Samson Siasia invited Stanley Okorom, Julius Emiloju and Obanor Erhun and 27 other home based players for the Rio Olympics in games in August.

"It's going to be tough but we have players to replace them, what if they were not called to national camp and they had injury? We cannot use them or in the case of yellow cards, so in the same way I see it and I know that going for national assignment is important to their careers as footballers and for the team as well, so, we have very good players to replace them, although, it will affect the team but we will work towards it."

Ilechukwu also added that his side lost their last away game against Warri Wolves due to their inability to play long balls, saying they've commenced training on that.

"Yes I'm worried about but we are working towards it, everyday we are working, and part of it is that out team is a little beat tired because of the consistent game in challenge cup, if you have noticed, we signed about 25 players but I keep on using the same set of players, in as much as others are fit, I just don't want to change my team anyhow because I'm scared it may affect the team's psychology. Most of them are tired but I keep on pushing."

"The reason was that our last game against Warri Wolves, we could not play because rain was everywhere, so, it's just because we couldn't kick long ball and they beat us because of that because we always kick ball on the ground and in that second half we could not play and they scored from that, so I start looking, and besides, we are about to enter the raining season."

"I was initially under pressure when I was told Wikki Tourists are a good side with a sound coach and good management but I thank God that at the end of the day, God crowned our efforts."

"I think the victory will not enter into our head because we still need to work on how to convert our chances, I think we need to do that, it is very important to our team."

"Against Abia Warriors, it's going to be tough, because I know they have a good team with a good coach also. During pre-season, it was tough, we played 1-1."

We need to work hard if we must pick a point against Abia Warriors, be 100 percent ready physically, psychologically and mentally."

"Yes, because I'm trying to teach our central defenders how to kick long balls, sometimes, because long balls are also important. When you meet a team that can contend with you on the ground, if you see you cannot contend with them consistently, you need to change your method to be able to get your goals, that's what we are trying to do."