Agent Zero rues the absence of quality players

Alex football team Agent Zero coach, Eddie Shai, believes his team’s 3–0 loss to Norwood Young Stars was not a true reflection of the strength of his squad of players.

He bemoaned the unavailability of some of their key players due to school and work commitments. On the other hand, Norwood Young Stars, affectionately called the Orange Machine in Alex, were delighted with yet another victory that ensures they are still on course for a runaway league victory.

“This victory is another giant step towards our ambitions of being league champions. [But it’s] water under the bridge for now as we look forward to our next match in our quest for the championship and promotion to the next level,” said Orange Machine captain Ari Jude in an interview with Alex News after the game.

He said the few mistakes they made in this game would be ironed out in their next training sessions in preparation for the next game.

Jude has just returned to the team after a long lay-off due to injury.

“I am now 100 percent fit and had a reasonably good game. I am going to take it one match at a time until I am back to my usual form and style of play,” he said.

“We miss our ace striker Osi [Miniru] but at the same time, we wish him good luck in his trials in Durban and hope he makes it – and makes it big. We’re all looking forward to getting these opportunities to advance our careers,” Jude said.

Shai, who had to step up and be the stand-in keeper in the match said the absence of key players had cost them the game. “I am certain had all our key players been here, the result could have easily been different,” he said.

“If we managed to keep them at bay for 44 minutes with this makeshift squad, as they scored their opening goal at the stroke of half time, we could have maybe held them to a draw if not an outright win.”

Shai admitted that his boys were a bit scrappy in the midfield where they lost most of their possession.