3SC

Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan (3SC) on Sunday defeated visiting Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi 2-0 in their first match of the Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL) 2016/2017 season.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that hosts 3SC secured victory through 21st and 65th minute goals by Wahab Afolabi and Sunday Faleye respectively.

NAN reports that Afolabi converted a left wing cross from Waheed Omololu to set the tone for the victory and place his team in the game’s driving seat.

3SC had several chances in the first half but could get no more goal, while their defence line coordinated by Suraj Sodiq was able to hold the visitors down.

The 3SC goalkeeper, Adamu Abubakar, was less troubled as Lobi Stars were unable to convert their few chances in the match.

Coach Fatai Amoo of 3SC later told newsmen that his team played well, describing it as a good performance.

He said his players were up against a very experienced team, thanking them for converting some of the chances.

Speaking on the team’s next match against Sunshine Stars of Akure, Amoo said the team would be worked upon to give a better performance.

“It is illogical to rate the boys now. We will work on them, particularly the defence line,” he said.

Also, Gbolagade Busari, the Executive Chairman of 3SC, told NAN that the performance was a result of the restructuring and repositioning efforts of the state government and the club’s management.

Busari appreciated the players and the club’s technical crew for putting up a good performance in the match.

“We will all not relent in the efforts of reclaiming the club’s old glory,’’ he said.

On his part, coach Evans Ogenyi of Lobi Stars said the match was keenly contested.

“The result is an evidence of the fact that any team which takes its chances always win a match.’’

He said first matches are usually played with anxiety and pressure, lamenting the fact that they missed their goal scoring chances during the match.

“No team in the Premier League is a pushover. We never underrated 3SC, especially as they are a traditional team.

“We suffered from too much anxiety in front of goal and we had a midfield which collapsed. I have seen our mistakes and we will work on such in the other games,” the coach stated.

NAN reports that before the match started, a one-minute silence was observed in honour of late 3SC player Izu Joseph and others who died during the season’s break.(NAN)