Obinna Uzoho, Head Coach of Kun Khalifat FC has admitted that his team struggled against rampant Crown FC in Saturday's opening fixture of the 2024/2025 NNL Super 8 Tournament in Asaba but emphasised a lot of factors caused including the desire for them to hold onto their 1-0 lead till the end, which they eventually did, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

Crown FC dominant in the opening stages before their goalkeeper, Joshua Oladeji clumsily impeded an attacker inside the area for Ahiake Chijioke to coolly slot home from the resultant penalty.

Yet, Crown did not pull off from the throttle pedal but but we're clay footed inside the final third. Kun Khalifat held on strongly till the final whistle.

Coach Uzoho told a crowded post match press conference that its good sometimes to play badly and win rather than play well and still lose.

"It wasn't that we couldn't match their pace. Yes, we struggled but that was for us to ensure that defended our one goal lead. This is no longer the regular league any more where you draw a game and begin to look for where to get the three points again.

"We needed to defend our goal to make sure that Crown didn't equalise and we achieved just that", Coach Uzoho explained.

Asked if that defensive approach was right and appropriate, he responded in the affirmative.

"For me, in this kind of game, yes, it's okay for me", he said.

Uzoho remains upbeat his side will triumph in their next game on Monday.

"We're going to play (against Warri Wolves) and I'm sure we're going to win", the young tactician sounded, confidently.