Salisu: We Have Learnt Our Lessons

Coach of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) All-Star, Salisu Yusuf, has blamed the 1-4 defeat to Malaga CF in the Semifinals of the Ramon de Carranza Trophy on Friday on the absence of some Enyimba players who left for Egypt for their all important CAF Champions League return leg match against Zamalek.

The NPFL All Stars started very well against Malaga but could muster enough courage to nail the Spanish side. It will be recalled that they lost their first match against Valencia 1-2 on Wednesday.

Coach Salisu maintained that he lost the match due to the absence of key players from the Nigeria Champions Enyimba FC who were on important assignment.

“I was asked this question before the game and the answer I gave was simply that it’s a lesson we have learned. Maybe next time we will come with more players, or not bring players who will have important assignments with their clubs.

“Because of the shortage of players we had to play some out of position and we will do the same thing against Atletico Madrid on Saturday,” Salisu said.

He, however, added that he has learned some lessons as a coach in this Spanish adventure.

“I saw the free-flowing football exhibited by Valencia, the speed of their passes and their ability to make quick penetrating passes.

“Against Malaga I also learned a lot. It’s a good lesson for us. Remember this is the first time and we know the next time out we will do better,” Salisu said.

The NPFL All Stars will next play Atletico Madrid in the third place match on Saturday.