By Tosin Omojola
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) head coach, Gbenga Ogunbote, has described Sunday’s victory over Heartland FC in the Nigeria Premier Footbal League (NPFL) as “a big relief” for his team.
In his post-match views after the Oluyole Warriors battled to a 1-0 win over the hard-fighting Heartland, courtesy of Samuel Ayanrinde’s fabulous strike, Ogunbote admitted that the game was tough, but expressed joy that his boys were able to manage the situation.
“I think it is going to be a big relief for the team, having played the first two matches without a win. This win, no matter how it comes, is a big relief for the team,” Ogunbote told 3SC Media.
Ogunbote, also revealed why his boys lost steam, especially for most part of the second half after a dominant first half performance.
“We started very well at the beginning of that game, but immediately after that goal, the synergy wasn’t there anymore, some of the players switched off somehow.
“At a point in time, two of our defenders were already on cards, so they were playing with lots of caution, the confidence to mark and play wasn’t there any longer. It took a great toll on us,” he explained.
He, however, added that the team would have wrapped up the game in the first half but for the anxiety on the part of the players.
“We would have wrapped up the game in the first half if not for the anxiety. I think because we’ve not got a win in the previous two games. But I’m happy we were able to manage the game to get the win, which is a big relief,” the former Rangers International coach said.
The former Remo Stars coach spoke on his team’s next two games against Bendel Insurance in Benin City and Nasarawa United in Lafia.
“Sincerely, this victory, which is a big relief for the team, will enhance the confidence level of the players, that we can do it.
“We just pray we have this kind of officiating everywhere we go. If we have a level playing ground, with this victory, I think it will propel the players and enhance their confidence,” concluded The Oracle, as Ogunbote is fondly called.