I’m Fulfilled Beating Comets

Coach Abubakar of Bauchi Nets in this interview with BAMIDELE OLOWOSAGBA speaks on his team’s experience at the DStv playoff and other issues affecting the club

How do you feel about your first victory at this year’s playoff

It’s great to finally secure a win after two previous defeats in the tourney.You could see many of my players jumping and shouting after the end of the game. It means so much to us as a team. Personally, its the greatest feeling of my life

Why is it so important having lost your two previous games

Personally, it is important to me because Comets’ coach, Ayo Bakare, is the man that gave me my major breakthrough in the game of basketball. He is such an inspiration to me and beating him today makes me feel so happy.

….And to the team

It is important to the whole team because after the previous two defeats, our fans back home felt bad and we made up our mind not to come all the way to the playoff without any win.That is why you can see alot of emotions from the players and the technical crew after we got the crucial victory in a very difficult game.

What motivated your players to win, having lost the previous two games?

The players were also motivated for the games we lost. The losses were to more experienced and better sides. I told them before the Comets game that we can’t afford to go back to Bauchi without a win and they played to my instructions and at the end, we won.

What is next for your team now, having dropped out of the title race?

Well, we had a projecton at the begining of the tourney to, at least, get to the semi final stage but sadly, we could not progress beyond the group phase. We are going to start preparing for the next season in earnest; make few changes by getting some players that can get us to the next stage of playoff.

Do you think your team have gained any benefit from the playoff?

Yes, as you can see, my team are made up of young talented players but with little experience. Most of them are playing at this stage of the league for the first time.With our participation at the playoff, they have been able to garner more experience by playing among the best players in the country.This will improve their performance and the team can only be better for it.

What will be the reaction of your fans back home to your performance?

Definitely, they will be disappointed in our overall performance because we promised them to make it to the semi final.But I want them to know that we put in our best not only to get to the semi final but to also get a continental ticket. Unfortunately, our best was not enough.

Finally, how do you see the playoff this year? Do you think your team can make it back next year?

The standard of the game has really improved as you can see from the number of upsets recorded. Also, the defending champion, Kano Pillars, not is making it out of the group stage.Without doubt, I am confident that we are going to make it to the playoff next year.