NNL Super 8 Play off: Shooting Stars off to a bright start, set for another win against Remo Stars

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, started their campaign in the final phase of the race for promotion from the NNL to the NPFL, the NNL play off with a hard won 2-1 win over Bendel Insurance of Benin.

In the encounter played on Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, the Oluyole Warriors demonstrated sheer determination and the will to succeed, to overcome the Benin Arsenal.

The coach Monday Odigie tutored Insurance, had shot into the lead in the 14th minute of the match via a questionable penalty awarded them by the referee, who adjudged that 3SC goalkeeper, Dede Dare, had fouled an Insurance player, a decision that elicited reactions from soccer fans.

Daniel Johnson stepped up to convert the controversial spot kick to put Insurance on the lead.

The goal spurred the Oluyole Warriors on as they seized the initiative and searched for the leveller which came twelve minutes later when Malomo Ayodeji, who was put through by a defense splitting pass from Adebayo Abayomi, raced down to the opponent's goal area before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Amas Obasogie.

The first half finished one goal apiece.

The Ibadan soccer lords, took the game to the opponent in the second half as they to push for the second goal, caging their opponent to their own half in the process.

The tactical expertise of the coach Edith Agoye led 3SC coaching crew, made the difference as substitutes Odeyemi Ebenezer and Raheem Nafiu, who came in for Chinedu Enuademu and Adebayo Abayomi, made life more difficult for Insurance.

With about seven minutes to the end of the game, substitute, Raheem Nafiu, pounced on a cross well delivered by Gafar Olafimihan, to slam home the ball for Shooting Star's winning goal.

In his post match comments, an excited coach Edith Agoye expressed happiness over the victory, stating however that he has immediately shifted focus to the next fixture against Remo Stars, who pummeled Ekiti United 3-0 in the second match of the Southern Conference.

The Oluyole Warriors hope to get the maximum points against Remo Stars on Thursday morning, as victory would put the promotion ticket within a touching distance.

Tosin Omojola

Media Officer, 3SC.