Date: 2018-09-28

The Harmony Boys were the surprise package in Lagos centre after picking wins in their opening two games in Group C Following Kwara United’s win over Rivers United, coach Abubakar Bala has attributed their form in the 2018 Federation Cup to a ‘changed mentality’. Bala took over at the helms of the Harmony Boys after John Obuh, on the back of a run of disappointing results in the Nigeria Professional Football League that the newcomers at the bottom of the log, was fired. And after the former Niger Tornadoes gaffer’s arrival, Kwara finished the 2018 season above the relegation zone. And they have carried such form into the Federation Cup Abia Warriors, Supreme Court hold Sunshine Stars With a game left, they have progressed to the quarterfinals of the competition following up the 5-1 thumping of Abia Warriors with a spirited 1-0 win over Rivers on Wednesday, with Samsudeen Ashimu providing the goods.

"We've qualified already to the next stage; the quarterfinal and I'm very happy the boys played according to instruction and we had a very fantastic game. I'm very happy," Bala told media.

"Most important thing is about the mentality of the players. It has been totally changed from the level they were to let them believe in themselves that they can do it.

"They don't belong to where they were before and they can make it to the top.

"We've changed their mentality and with every support of the management in terms of motivation and other financial benefits that is pushing the boys forward. We have mapped out our plan."

Last season, Bala led Tornadoes to final of the Federation Cup where they lost to Akwa United and he has set his sights on winning the big prize this campaign.

"We have our target and my personal target for last season was to get to the final of the cup.

"This season I want to surpass last season record. That's our target," he concluded.

On Friday, Kwara United play Kano Pillars in their final group game at the Agege Stadium.