hard. They hired two foreign players for the season who put a new life in our experienced side,” Essa said.
“It is the first ever title which K-Electric have won. It makes me extremely happy. There was huge pressure on us but we kept our cool, went ahead consistently and that worked,” said the play-maker, who led the team by example.
Essa said they would prepare adequately for the AFC event. “It will really be a more competitive event and we will need at least one-month training besides a few friendlies,” said Essa, who retired from international football during the SAFF Cup in Dhaka five years ago when Austria’s George Kottan was Pakistan’s coach.
K-Electric’s Sports Manager Zabe Khan said the whole management of his department supported the team.
“It was because of the support of the whole management that we won the league. Wilson’s hiring made the difference and we will invite both the Nigerians for the AFC event as well,” he said.
He also praised star striker Mohammad Rasool. “Rasool was amazing as he hit 22 goals. Trainer Imran did a tidy job in the entire season,” he said.
K-Electric’s assistant coach Akbar Ali said the start was not good but then the team gained confidence which paid off.
K-Electric, who had ended as the runners-up in the last two editions, played the season with two Nigerians Oludeyi and Wilson Segun who performed well. “I am very glad to be part of the champions’ team,” the defensive midfielder Wilson said. “I am happy with the way I played in the entire league. But still I will need to do more hard work in future,” he said.
Oludeyi Sunday said it was a competitive league. “It was a very competitive league this season. I had told you that no one could stop us from winning the title and today we showed that,” the nimble-footed Oludeyi added.
Oludeyi, who hit 11 goals in the season, showed a lot of character to play some matches despite injury. “I played in some matches despite injury because we were going well and I did not want to let down the team at any stage,” said Oludeyi, who also represented K-Electric last season.
WAPDA and KRL have won the league four times each. Army have done so twice. WAPDA’s triumphs came in 2004-05, 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2010-11. KRL wore the crown in 2009-10, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14. Army emerged champions in 2005-06 and 2006-07. Pakistan coach Mohammad Shamlan also witnessed the match.