Warri Wolves Head Coach, Hassan Abdallah, has explained why the Seasiders fell 2-1 to Bendel Insurance in Sunday’s 2026/27 Euromatch NPFL Matchday 1 fixture at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Completesports.com reports.
Abdallah Identifies Defensive Lapses
Abdallah said after the gritty clash that his defenders did not quite perform as expected. He pointed to defensive lapses and the team’s inability to hold on to their early lead until the end of the first half as factors that contributed to the defeat.
The Seasiders took an early lead, with Towo Eventus finding the back of the Bendel Insurance net four minutes after kick-off.
But Kayode Oke Solomon drew the hosts level 20 minutes into the South-South derby, with Alex Oweiyalefa scoring the winning goal for the Benin Arsenal two minutes after the commencement of the second half.
The hosts held on until the final whistle to claim maximum points in the first match of the season.
Responding to reporters’ questions after the game during the post-match press conference, Abdallah said he noticed a technical fault in his central defence.
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“We scored in the early stage (four minutes) of the match. But unfortunately, we couldn’t hold on to the lead until the end of the first half,” Abdallah, a former Heartland of Owerri gaffer, began.
“I saw some technical faults in our central defenders, which I’m going to work on with a view to correcting them,” he added.
Abdallah Defends Youthful Warri Wolves Team
The Warri Wolves boss strongly defended his decision to field several young players in the derby clash, saying his philosophy encourages younger players with speed and energy.
“As you rightly said, I paraded a bunch of very, very young players. The point is, I’m trying to prove some points that football now is a game of energy. And for you to be able to move faster and quicker, you must be within the age range of between 18–20 years. And that’s why I paraded a team of young players.”
He added: “But then, my motivation to them is that I’ve got my own philosophy. I always like my team to knock the ball right from the middle (midfield) and then put it at the sides (flanks), and then square the ball and score.
“They followed the instruction. They did very well, as you could see. They played as a team right from the build-up, from the goalkeeper through to the midfield and then to the attack. We had some chances, but we couldn’t convert them.
“I’ve corrected those lapses (poor conversion rate in front of goal) in the course of our training over the last two weeks. But we will still have to push again and make sure that we arrange our team very well and cohesively.
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“I would say that we played very well. But for me, I’m not disappointed (with the outcome of the game). Just little lapses like inexperience were also there.”
Warri Wolves paraded a team largely dominated by new signings in the game against Bendel Insurance on Sunday. But Abdallah said he would gradually begin to introduce his older and more experienced players into his matchday squads.
“But we’re going to begin to gradually introduce some intelligent, experienced players in order to ensure that we correct those lapses.”
Warri Wolves Target Rangers Upset
On expectations for the Matchday 2 fixture against NPFL title holders and nine-time Nigerian champions Rangers, Abdallah said there is nothing to fear about the Coal City Flying Antelopes.
“Yes, for me, I don’t have any problem (playing against Rangers at this stage of the season). Forget, that’s just a name (Rangers). You see, I believe nobody had expected us to play like this today. Maybe we’re going to make sure that we prepare very well.
“But those people (Rangers), I must say, it’s just a name. For me, I play real football. I don’t follow names. We’ve got our tactical plan. And we’ll make sure that we follow our tactics and play so that, at the end of the day, we win. That’s all.”
