Resolute Shooting Stars gave it their all to beat high-flying Bendel Insurance 2-1 in a fiery NPFL match played at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, www.aclsports.com reports.
The game burst into life in the final six minutes as Olakunle Akala fired home his first goal for the Oluyole Warriors before substitute Qamar Adegoke scored to double the home side’s lead in the second minute of additional time. Alex Oweilayefa scored a consolation later, but the hosts were not to be denied another home win.
Shooting Stars started the day in the bottom half of the log, needing a win to move up the standings before the remaining matches of matchday 13. Meanwhile, second-placed Insurance were looking for their third consecutive win to go joint-top with Rangers.
The Oluyole Warriors threatened several times in the first half, but former Akwa United goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka was in superb form to deny the hosts. When he was slightly beaten, the post came to the rescue as the game went into the break goalless.
After the interval, Shooting Stars upped the ante, but they could not find a way past goalkeeper Adeyinka. Salisu Yusuf changed his team’s shape by sending Emmanuel Lucky and Qamar Adegoke on as Shooting Stars went in search of the game’s opening goal.
In the 84th minute, Olakunle Akala’s low effort went past the hapless Adeyinka for the game’s opening goal, which was greeted by wild jubilations in the stadium. Just moments later, Damilola Akinola squared the ball to Qamar to double the home side’s lead.
However, Bendel Insurance grabbed a consolation through Oweilayefa after a poorly timed pass by the Shooting Stars’ defence in the final moments of the encounter. Shooting Stars held on for a win to move up to 7th, while Insurance stay in second place ahead of the remaining games of the match day.
