Fasojaye Tajudeen, Head Coach of Edel FC, Awka, has praised his players performance despite their 2-1 defeat by the Naze Millionaires, Heartland, in Saturday's Nigeria National League, NNL, Conference A matchday 2 clash at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

Tajudeen, a former Head Coach of Ijelle FC, Enugu, claimed that his youngsters turn on the screw in the second half and reduced the tally, saying they were undone by Heartland's early goal.

The hosts took the lead just after the kick off and doubled their lead before the half time whistle, going into the break with a commanding 2-0 lead.

But the visitors turned on the heat on their hosts in the second period, reducing the deficit in the 66th minute. They kept pouring out in large numbers and encampming in their hosts area like locust invasion.

Heartland held on tenaciously until the end, thus, plucking their first maximum points of the 2025/2026 second tier domestic campaign.

Coach Tajudeen walked tall and proud even in defeat afterward, saying for the early goal, the result would have been more respectful.

"We're undone by the early goal we conceded. My players were yet to settle down when that goal came and it became difficult adjust", Tajudeen said.

"In the second half, we came all out. He who's down, they say, fears no fall. So, we've to come all out and you saw it. It would have been a different story if not for the early goal we conceded", the former Ijele FC Coach said.