By Olayinka Olawole
. ABS FC coach, Henry Makinwa
Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) FC head coach, Henry Makinwa has told pundits in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) to expect plenty upsets in the league this season, urging his side to take advantage of it.
According to Makinwa hinted SR Sports that smaller teams in the league are beginning to rub shoulders with the bigger teams, making the league more interesting, challenging and competitive. This he thinks is the start of a modern era in the NPFL.
“Last season, we saw the monopoly of the likes of Enyimba FC, Kano Pillars smashed by Enugu Rangers and I believe this season won’t be different as the smaller teams will rise to the occasion and surprise a lot of football pundits,” Makinwa told SR Sports.
Speaking further, the former Rayo Vallecano of Spain striker continued by saying many of the top teams in the league will find it so difficult in dealing with the new or upcoming clubs. He stated that he wasn’t surprise with the emergence of clubs like MFM FC, ABS FC and Plateau United so far in the league.
“I think the league has improved to what we use to have in the past. The LMC has done well with the league and the environment is conducive for smaller teams, as the officiating and security situation has improved drastically. This has made the smaller teams pick valuable away points unlike what we used to have in the past.
“Even though its too early to say, but I think we might get a new team winning the league this season again. Last season was difficult for some of the big teams and I don’t think this season will be much different,” Makinwa concluded.