Ogunbote seeks psychological lift as Sharks drown

Gbenga Ogunbote, head coach of Sharks FC, is still shell-shocked after Sunday’s 1-2 home loss to Akwa United on match day 19 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Goals from Godspower Aniefiok and Ezekiel Bassey for Akwa meant Fortune Omoniwari’s effort at the death was rendered purely academic as the Blue Angels suffered a shock home reverse.
It was the club’s first home loss of the season and also their third consecutive defeat in the NPFL following defeats at FC Taraba and Kano Pillars.
Ogunbote said he “cannot explain what happened” as he conceded that his charges may need a psychological lift to return back to winning ways.
“I cannot explain what happened in this game against Akwa United because we played well but just could not win. I will be speaking to the boys to see that we shake off this slump and return to winning ways,” Ogunbote told supersport.com.
Sharks’ recent bad run of results comes as a shock especially as the club had gone 10 matches unbeaten before their capitulation in Jalingo against FC Taraba.
Ogunbote is confident they “will put things right” in the second half of the season.
“We have 19 more matches to play. I am very sure we will put things right before the commencement of the second round.
“It’s all about belief at this point and knowing that the same players who took us to this position are still here,” he said.
Sharks have now dropped to second spot on the NPFL standings with 30 points from 19 matches, one point adrift of the new leaders, Nasarawa United.