Coach Kijera was speaking to The Point Sports shortly after his side's barren goalless draw against Late Njuga in their third Group A game played at the Serrekunda East Mini Stadium on Tuesday.
Jola Kunda FC drew their two opening group matches against Goh Bii and Late Njuga before losing to Eagle Star.
They collected two points in three group games.
“I am hundred percent optimistic that we are not going to be relegated.
I am also very hopeful that we will progress to the round of 16 of the nawettan despite having one match left,” said the Jola Kunda coach Lamin Kijera in an interview.
Coach Kijera expressed disappointment after his side draw against Late Njuga FC in their third group match, adding that is not the result he was expecting.
“From the first week, the way we trained coming into the game against Late Njuga was very good.
So, we cannot explain this kind of performance to anyone after dominating and missing a lot of chances during the game,” he said.
Coach of Jola Kunda who guided his team to three group stage matches without scoring any goal said he was disappointed losing most of their goal scoring chances, leaving the scoreline goalless.
“We will go back to the training ground and work harder for our next and final group stage encounter.
It is embarrassing playing three games without scoring a single point.
Kebba Jammeh, head coach of Late Njuga, stated that it is normal sharing the spoils against Jola Kunda, adding that this means Late Njuga will be competing again in the nawettan next season as that they would not be in the relegation zone.
“I am little bit disappointed with the performance of my players.
‘‘Our performance was below expectations,'’ he said.
Late Njuga FC now collected four points in three games after losing their opening match against Timbuktu, winning their second game against Goh Bii before drawing against Jola Kunda.
In the other results
Late Njuga 0-1 Timbuktu
Cannon FC 3-2 Old Hands
Falcons 1-2 Rangers FC
Abuko United 0-0 London United.
T Central 0-0 Lions of T Town
Future Stars 4-0 Bijankerr
D.B.O 0-0 T Town
LN Border Bii 1-2 New Germany
Casa United 1-1 Future Bii
In the second-round results
Eagle Star 1-0 Jola Kunda
Old Hands 0-0 United Stars
Medina 0-0 Ebbeh Gi
Magtab Warriors 2-1 BB Rovers
Late Njuga 1-0 Goh Bi
Macassa FC 0-0 LN Border Bii
Milan FC 0-1 Falcons
T Central 1-0 Ball Conge
Hannover 1-0 London United
RSL Zurich 1-0 Nguma
Wah Sa Halat 1-1 Border Bii
D.B.O 0-1 Milan Ross
Leeds United 2-0 Bijankerr
TK Snookers 0-0 Latrikunda United
Juventus 2-0 Bantaba
At the time of going to press yesterday, Eagle Stars were taking on Gohh Bi before Old Hands played against Future Bi.