Coach Gbenga Ogunbote of Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan on Sunday described his team’s 2-1 win over visiting Nasarawa United FC of Lafia as a hard-earned victory.
3SC scored their two goals through Sylvanus Ebiaku and Izu Joseph in the 63rd and 90th minutes of the game respectively.
The visiting side got their lone goal in the 17th minute of the game through AbdulRahman Bashir.
Joseph, who secured the victory for 3SC in the game’s third minute of added time of second half, was a second half substitute.
Ogunbote said Nasarawa United had always been a tough side for 3SC in Ibadan, adding that he managed to defeat them 2-1 last season.
He said: “We expected a tough game.
“Stiff opposition is always on the cards towards the end of the season.
“But our players were very careless in the first half of the game.
“They committed lots of blunders.
“However, I commend them for fighting back.
“The boys really gave their best to make up for the mistakes, because the mentality of our people is that a team must win at home.”
The 3SC coach described the introduction of Joseph into the game in the second half as tactical, assuring the fans of their best in the remaining matches.
Ogunbote said they would also give their best to scale through in the Federation Cup match on Wednesday.
Reacting also, Coach Kabiru Dogo of Nasarawa United described the loss as painful, saying his team played very well.
Dogo said his players really proved their stuff on the field of play, adding: “Sometimes a team gets unfavourable results in spite of good efforts.”
He said his team never underrated 3SC, referring to Ogunbote as one the best few coaches who had managed big teams with a difference.
Dogo however said his team would prepare well to get better results in the matches ahead.
3SC would be facing Rivers United in their next away match and will host Sunshine Stars thereafter.
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