The Technical Adviser of Elkanemi Warriors, Aliyu Zubair, has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to perform even better in the second round of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). Despite a commendable first-round finish in the top five, Zubair emphasized the need for improvement and squad strengthening to remain competitive.

Speaking after a narrow 1-0 victory against Kano Pillars in their matchday 19 encounter in Maiduguri, Zubair described the team’s first-round campaign as “averagely good.”

“So far, the team has performed fairly well considering we just got promoted from the NNL. However, there is still room for improvement,” Zubair stated.

The team’s first-round statistics reflect a solid showing, with 29 points earned from seven wins, eight draws, and four losses. Elkanemi Warriors scored 19 goals, conceded 18, and secured nine clean sheets, placing them fifth on the league table.

Zubair revealed that the team’s primary focus for the second round is consistent improvement across all matches, as well as strengthening key departments for enhanced performance.

“We don’t have any specific target other than to improve with each game. There’s no perfect team in the world, and ours is no exception. We need to fortify all departments to perform better,” he said.

The coach stressed that the team’s ultimate goal for the season is to finish among the top five, a target he described as “realistic and achievable.”

“Our aim is to finish well without placing unnecessary pressure on the players or the team as a whole. Finishing in the top five is achievable with steady progress and focus,” Zubair concluded.

Elkanemi Warriors’ strong first-round performance as a newly-promoted team from the Nigeria National League (NNL) has been a bright spot in the NPFL season. With plans to bolster their squad and a clear focus on measured improvement, the team is poised to make a significant impact in the second round.