Gamondi defends his decision in Yanga’s loss to Ihefu SC

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This season’s NBC Premier League defending champion's perfect start in the top flight came to an end as the club suffered the first defeat of the campaign at Ihefu SC.

The visitors took the lead early in the first half when midfielder Pacome Zouzoua completed a nice cutback from forward Clement Mzize to beat the hosts’ goalkeeper Fikirini Bakari.

Yanga dominated much of the possession but, against the run of play, Ihefu SC equalized with a stunning free-kick five minutes before the break.

Goalkeeper Djigui Diarra spilled a free kick by Ihefu SC's midfielder Never Tigere that was headed home by central defender Lenny Kissu.

In the second half, another fast counter-attack saw the ball eventually land at the feet of striker, Charles Ilamfya, who smashed in the winner, with a rearguard action seeing Ihefu SC hold on for the three points.

The Argentine coach disclosed: “I think the first goal we conceded, we gave them a gift. Two mistakes, we tried to play in the back because we said the pitch is not good so don’t take risks. Then the goalkeeper made a mistake, it happens in football, it is an easy mistake.”

Gamondi noted: “They did not lose one situation in the first half. We played very well in the first and I think in a different match we could have gone to the break with a lead.”

“In the second goal, they got a counterattack. We knew that we were not safe while attacking. For the second goal they ran 40 metres,” the coach stated.

“We can blame ourselves for that. After that, I think there was no more game because it was anti-football. What happened after is anti-football.”

The Argentine pointed out: “I don’t blame the referee but it is not at the level to manage a game like that. You can see a player who doesn't want to play. They go down, wasting time but we lost not because of the referee but for our mistakes... we didn’t put the ball in the net.”

“I am very disappointed with the result but it is football. It is only four games but we need to think about the next game,” the tactician added.

Gamondi made five changes to his team but was quick to defend his decision, saying that was not the cause for the loss.

“The rotation was okay. We were leading and only conceded through a mistake. It’s not about the changes. Football is very unfair, if I had won the game, they would have said this is a big coach because of the changes,” the Argentine revealed.

The tactician stated: “And now that we have lost, they may probably ask why I made changes. We can never make people 100% happy. Even when I made the changes in the second half we did not get what we expected. It’s football.”