Sunshine Stars head coach, Deji Ayeni, says he is expecting a tough tie against MFM on Friday afternoon in the final Group B tie of the ongoing Ottasolo Pre-season Tournament, he however said he is banking on his tactical prowess to prevail.
The Owena Whales are through to the semi-final of the pre-season tourney but Ayeni disclosed to Ottasolo Pre-season Media that they are eager to end the group stage atop and he is counting on his boys to remain tactically disciplined against the Olukoya Boys whom they drew against when they met at the recently held Dapo Abiodun Pre-season Tournament in Ijebu Ode.
“I’ve played MFM before and we drew,” Ayeni told Ottasolo Pre-season Media.
“But you don’t dwell on past glories. MFM is a very good compact side and they have lots of youthful players.
“We are expecting a very good game from MFM. It won’t be easy. We are going to approach it tactically.”
The former Ekiti United gaffer went ahead to hail the sponsor of Ottasolo Pre-season Tourney, Otunba Gabriel Davies for committing his energies and resources into positive use by helping Nigerian teams to prepare for the new season.
He said by the gesture of Davies, who is also the owner of Ottasolo Int. FC, he is helping Nigerian football developmentally and that he is worthy of commendation.
Ayeni added: “The most important thing is the vision and the aspirations of the man that brought this to bear. I want to thank him very well because it is not easy for somebody to put down his resources in something like this.
“You are helping Nigerian football developmentally because most of the pre-season tournaments provide avenues for us to know our weak points, strength and to know areas we need to work on.
“I have taken the positives and negatives from this tournament and they shall be addressed when we get back home.”
The group stage of the pre-season tournament ends today with the semi-final games slated for Saturday.
