Captain Oyo Eyes Knockout Stage After Hiyala's Opening Triumph

Hiyala FC captain Emmanuel Oyo hailed his side's determination after they began their title defense with a 2-0 victory over Ilieu Neema FC in Group A of the 10th Edition of the Monyie-Miji Football Tournament on Saturday.

Speaking after the match at Bulluk Playground, Oyo acknowledged the challenge posed by Ilieu Neema, describing them as one of the strongest teams in the competition.

 "I want to thank our fans because they stood with us throughout the match. It was a difficult game because Ilieu is one of the strongest teams in this tournament, and matches like this are never easy."

The Hiyala skipper admitted his side faced difficulties in the opening half but praised the team's resilience and response after the break.

 "The first half was tough, but we didn't give up despite Ilieu trying to stop us. The coach spoke to us at halftime, highlighted our mistakes, and we managed to correct them in the second half."

Despite securing all three points, Oyo stressed that the defending champions must remain focused as they pursue qualification to the knockout stage.

 "We will not depend on today's win. Winning the first match is important because it gives the team confidence and motivation, but we must continue working hard. If we keep winning, we can qualify for the knockout stages."

The victory gives Hiyala FC an ideal start to their campaign as they seek to retain the Monyie-Miji title and extend their dominance in the competition.