Niyi Alebiosu
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) on Saturday recorded a 2-1 victory over Plateau United in Matchday 1 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) played at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba in Ibadan.
It was an impressive performance from the home team as they defeated the Jos club with the help of goals from Ayobami Adekunle and Anayor Ogbonna.
The Oluyole Warriors dominated the encounter as their fans applauded them after the final whistle.
Some of the new signings of 3SC gave good account of themselves like Kayode Oke and goalkeeper Ovunda Darlintin among others.
Plateau United skipper, Daniel Itodo provided scary moments for the Ibadan club with his trademark long throw-in occasionally. Somehow 3SC found a way around the threat by neutralizing Itodo’s attempts.
3SC substitute Ogbonna scored the insurance goal to make it 2-0 in the 75th minute through a brilliant nodding off an assist from Mutiu Olawale after they had taken the lead 40 minutes earlier through Adekunle.
The home team’s celebration was cut short as Plateau United responded quickly to reduce the tally in the 77th minute and make it 2-1. Uche Onwuasoanya came off the Plateau United bench to put the cats among the pigeons in the final moments though his best effort proved inadequate to salvage a result for the travelling contingent.
Speaking after the match, Adekunle who joined 3SC from Aspac FC of Benin Republic said he’s happy scoring on his debut.
He said: “I am so happy to have scored my debut goal for Shooting Stars and I have been praying for this to happen and I am thankful it was achievable.
“So, I just pray and hope for better days as we progress into the season. I’m still expecting more goals with the help of my colleagues and with God on our side, we will achieve our target for this season.”
Head coach of 3SC, Gbenga Ogunbote, lauded his side for the result while charging his wards to be brace for their next matches.
He said: “Thank God we started the season with a victory and this is the beginning of good things to come this season. We cannot afford to drop any point from the start of the season because we have set targets for ourselves.”