Gbenga Ogunbote, the Head Coach of Shooting Stars Sports Club, on Sunday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, said the team was still working on integrating its newly-signed players with the older ones.
Coach Ogunbote stated this during the post-match news conference which followed the team’s 1-1 draw with visiting Plateau United.
This was in their 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League Match Day 2 fixture.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the match was played at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex in Ibadan.
Ogunbote said: ““Our team did not start from where it ended at home in the past season because most of our players in the immediate-past season have left.
“We paraded a relatively-new team today (Sunday), with most of the players performing at home for the first time in the presence of their supporters.
“So, our performance in today’s (Sunday’s) game is an unfortunate one.
“We had a lot of difficulties in terms of synergy among players, and other factors.
“Synergy in the team does not come overnight.”
Ogunbote then appealed to the team’s supporters for understanding.
He said: “Most of the players who featured for our opponents today (Sunday) are those they retained.
“But we are sure that in no time the synergy and understanding among the players would improve, and the team would get itself together after a couple of games.”
Speaking also, Mbwas Mangut, the Head Coach of Plateau United, said his team approached the game with the knowledge that 3SC ended strongly in the just-concluded season and pre-season games.
Mangut said: “We know how strong and dangerous 3SC could be, and that is why we tried to avoid all those areas where they are strong in the front.
“We also used the second half to hold the game in the middle and to maintain our performance in the game.”
The coach disclosed that Plateau United were able to replace the players who left after last season with stronger ones.
“We are therefore optimistic that, in the next three to four more games, the best of the team will come out,” he said.
NAN reports that Plateau United took the lead in the game through Victor Dawa’s 39th minute goal.
The hosts drew level through Uche Onwuansanya in the second minute of the first half’s three added minutes.
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Shooting Stars are now with two points from two games, having drawn their Match Day 1 fixture 1-1 with hosts Nasarawa United in Lafia on September 8.
Results of Match Day 2 fixtures in 2024/2025 NPFL
Akwa United FC 1-1 Abia Warriors FC
Bayelsa United FC 1-1 Kano Pillars FC
Katsina United FC 1-1 Bendel Insurance FC
Niger Tornadoes FC 0-0 Nasarawa United FC
Shooting Stars FC 1-1 Plateau United FC
El Kanemi Warriors Vs Kwara United FC (postponed)/
The following Match Day two fixtures would be played on September 25:
Ikorodu City FC Vs Enugu Rangers international FC
Enyimba international FC Vs Lobi Stars FC.
