NPFL: Ogunbote rues careless moments on Sunday
Head coach of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), Gbenga Ogunbote rues the careless moments that cost his side maximum points against Akwa United on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Ogunbote and his wards were beaten 2-0 by their hosts in the Match Day 20 encounter decided at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Sunday.
Both teams were evenly matched in the contest until two careless moments in the space of three minutes allowed Akwa United score through Ubong Friday and former Shooting Stars defender Taye Muritala.
“I think it is one of those things you expect from the game. I didn’t expect that we were going to lose the game. We had control of the game but we had some careless moments and we paid dearly for it,” said Ogunbote to www.aclsports.com after the game.
After an unplanned first half of the season which saw the Oluyole Warriors record just two wins out of nine matches, Ogunbote brought in a couple more new players and gave them debuts in the game.
Goalkeeper Okiemute Odah, defenders Uchenna Odeh and Ikouwem Utin as well as midfielder Chinonso Anike made their debuts for Shooting stars in the game and despite seeing a bit of encouragement, Ogunbote feels his side have to up their commitment level.
“I’m encouraged but I think we need to work on our commitment level. I think we were not committed enough. Even if you’re two goals down, it doesn’t mean it’s all over. We’ve come from two goals down before but the moment we went two goals down, the players gave in,” said the former Rangers International coach.
Shooting Stars, after ten match days out of eighteen are hovering above the relegation zone with an average of one point per game. They will return home for a Match Day 11 encounter on Wednesday against Group A’s third placed team Plateau United at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.
