Speaking after the match, the veteran tactician admitted he was disappointed in his players for showing complacency after a strong start, a lapse he believed cost them the game.

Hayford explained that Lions dominated play for long spells and looked the better side, but their overconfidence allowed the hosts to take control and score twice.

“I was very happy with their performance from the beginning to maybe a quarter of the second half, and something I’ve been drumming home showed up in my team,” he said.

According to the outspoken coach, his players attempted to show superiority instead of keeping their discipline, while Nations FC approached the contest with greater determination.

“When complacency meets determination, it is always determination that carries the day. My boys tried to show that they are ‘oga’, and for me, if you grow feathers like that, I will just pluck them one by one,” he warned.

An angry Hayford further blamed the defeat on his players’ refusal to adhere to instructions, insisting their attitude changed the moment they felt they were superior to their opponents.

“That is what caused us. They were so complacent that no matter what you told them, they were not taking it. They played very well until they found out that we were above them on the league table, then they started showing complacency,” he lamented.
 

Despite the setback, Hayford maintains that Heart of Lions are still firmly in the title chase. He said the team will now monitor the top sides closely as they attempt to regain momentum in the coming weeks.

He assured fans that he would return to the training ground to correct the errors and instil greater discipline to prevent a repeat of such costly mistakes.