Head coach of Abia Warriors, Emmanuel Deutsch, has told Completesports.com that steering the club to safety in the turbulent abridged 2018/2019 NPFL season remains one of the high points of his coaching career.
Warriors were caught up in the relegation waters before Deutsch returned to the club from Delta Force with only six matches remaining in the Group B fixtures.
Following up a club record of 10 match unbeaten run before quitting the club in his first stint, Deutsch steered the club to four wins, a draw and a loss to finish in the fifth position with 31 points in the final table.
In the process, Abia Warriors under Deutsch, a Cameroonian, scored 14 goals and conceded six.
After outscoring Kano Pillars on the final day of the regular season on Sunday following goals from Tunde Atilola (9th minute), Samson Obi (52′ minute) and Emeka Isaac (60th minute), Deutsch proclaimed he’s a fulfilled man.
“It’s one of the happiest moments in my life”, Deutsch said after the match, whose glamour was overshadowed by the rain.
“It was difficult, (Kano) Pillars were determined to ruin our ambition but my players were determined not to to drop their heads.
“I’m happy, the club is happy, the supporters are happy and the government and people of Abia State are happy. You can see the celebration.
“Yeah, I know it was already bad when I came, but I believe we can do it with the commitment of the players and the officials including the technical crew.
“Winning four games in six and losing only one with a draw at this stage (of the season) is no mean feat and I attribute it to the collective will of the players, supporters and the management of the club led by Pastor Emeka Inyama,” coach Deutsch emphasised.
