Ahead of the match day 29 encounter between Heartland FC of Owerri and MFM FC of Lagos, former coach of MFM, present coach of Heartland, Fidelis Ilechukwu has clearly stated that he has no point to prove everytime he’s faced the Lagos side and that he’s always treated games against them the way he do treat other games.
While speaking Ikechukwu said he was with the team for 13 years and so has no point whatsoever to prove when they meet on Sunday(Today) in Owerri.
I have no point to prove, I work with them for 13 years
“I have no point to prove whenever I’m playing MFM FC because they understand me very well.
“I work with them for 13 years so they knew already that I always want to win every game if possible but sometimes football is crazy, things can turn upside-down, so that is it, there is no point to prove in the game.”
Speaking about the match against the Olukoya Boys itself, Ikechukwu said:
“We have prepared very well, mentally, physically and psychological to make sure we win the game.”
“We know it’s not going to be an easy game because we won in Lagos, they are coming here with everything to make sure they retaliate but I understand what it takes to win, I understand what it means when you want to play your former team.
“As they prepare, we prepare but I believe by the end of the day, we’ll get our three points because this three points is very important to us.”
He further assured the fans of Heartland good result.
“Fans must expect good results because we’re working very very hard to make sure we get good results but I know it’s not going to be an easy game because MFM are very good side.”
Fidelis Ilechukwu was asked about what he’s been doing to keep his players happy despite unpaid salaries and bonuses to him and his players, he said:
I Have a very strong relationship with my players
“Talking about motivation, we’re good to go in that area because I am the type of coach that have strong relationship with my players, I’m very close to them, they understand me, I understand them. I have the skills to manage them, know those that are angry easily and also understand how to talk to them, how to joke, when to joke, how and where to joke. Most important thing is the relationship is very very tight and as far as I’m concerned that is one of the greatest motivation a player can have.”
I let you see reasons why you will do those things
“I’m not that type of coach that want to force you to do everything, I’m a kind of coach that will let you see reasons why you should do those things, it is when I see that your character is out of hand that I’ll implement force and believe me that is one of the greatest motivation.”
Everyone is working hard on the salaries
“Concerning salaries, I know everything is going to be okay, it’s going to be alright. We have a governor who is capable to do all things, and those in the helm of affairs are working very hard that everything will come to normal.”
We need tactical character to win against MFM
“Talking about tactics, techniques and tactical character to win our game against MFM FC, because is very important to us, my boys are good to go.
“We’re good to go because this point will mean a lot to our team, to our fans, to Imonites, those in Nigeria and Abroad. It’s a game everybody is waiting for but like I said before, it’s like every other game because when you put game in your head and want to die for the game, at the end you may not win.
“We are seeing this game like every other ones we’ve played and those we’ve not played, that’s how it is.”
I understand that MFM FC have a lot of young players that are very fast, that always want to attack on the run, with or without the ball but we as well mop our strategies to make sure that at the end of the day, we get our three points.”
